Peoples Donates $50,000 to Tree Pittsburgh as Employees Volunteer for Forest Restoration

Pittsburgh, Pa. [April 25, 2023] – Peoples, an Essential Utilities company, donated $50,000 to Tree Pittsburgh during a volunteer event at the organization’s Heritage Nursery on Tuesday with Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, part of the company’s second annual Essential Earth Day celebration, which includes 30 volunteer events and more than $450,000 in donations to environmental organizations from Peoples and its sister company Aqua.

The donation supports the Heritage Nursery’s Forest Stewards program, a Summer Tree Care Crew, and a Tree Adoption for employees, all of which further the organization’s mission to restore and protect the urban forest through tree planting and care, education, advocacy, and land conservation. As part of the event, volunteers cared for young seedlings by transplanting them into larger pots to ensure their continued growth. The Peoples team transplanted 400 Canadian Service Berry trees and 474 Eastern Redbuds Tuesday afternoon.

"Peoples has been a true community partner, and we are grateful for their generous support and the contribution from the Essential Foundation," said Tree Pittsburgh Executive Director Danielle Crumrine, "Their investment in our programs will help us expand our reach and impact in the region and make a real difference in the health and beauty of our urban forest."

The donation is a natural fit for Peoples, which seeks to Make Lives Better by being a responsible environmental steward and safeguarding natural resources. 

“Our partnership with Tree Pittsburgh strengthens our community and environment, making it a perfect fit for Peoples and a cause our employees are proud to support,” said Peoples President Michael Huwar. “Their mission is closely aligned with our commitment to safely and sustainable provide clean, reliable natural gas to power Western Pennsylvania.”

The event is one of several Earth Day donations and events in Western Pennsylvania, including grounds cleanup at the Sarah Heinz House, tree planting with Western Pennsylvania Outdoors for Heroes, and trail cleanup with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

Essential Earth Day activities are part of Essential’s comprehensive commitment to the environment and the communities it serves. In 2022, the Essential Foundation donated $4.5 million to charitable initiatives that benefit health and human services, economic development, environmental causes, education and emergency services. Essential charitable giving also aims to support its diverse customer base and further goals of equity and inclusion.

Visit TreePittsburgh.org to learn more about creating a sustainable and thriving Pittsburgh.

###

About Peoples Natural Gas

Peoples, an Essential Utilities company, provides clean, safe, affordable and reliable natural gas service to approximately 750,000 homes and businesses in Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky. Peoples is committed to its customers, its employees, the environment, and to the regions it serves.

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

About Tree Pittsburgh

Tree Pittsburgh is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life in Pittsburgh through tree planting, maintenance, and education. Founded in 2006, Tree Pittsburgh has planted over 45,000 trees in the Pittsburgh region and engages thousands of volunteers each year in stewardship and education programs.