Tree preservation takes time and effort, and you have to hire one or two more people to help create the development or home. In the end, though, you are preserving an asset that will pay dividends over a lifetime.

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Sample Pitch Letter

John Oaks

Editor, Greensburg Daily News

100 Front Street

Greensburg, PA 22222

Dear Mr. Oaks:

For the past four years, the Greensburg Tree Commission has been planting street trees in different neighborhoods of Greens-burg. To date, we have planted 120 trees for many reasons, such as the economic, health and aesthetic benefits trees and other natural resources provide our residents. Also, tree planting provides an excellent opportunity for people in this community to meet and work together on positive projects. Our past tree plantings have been very successful, attracting both adults and children from throughout the community.

This year we are planning to plant 30 trees in Greensburg’s Hampton neighborhood. The planting will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the corner of Fairmount and Plankert Streets, on Saturday, May 25. Planting holes will be dug and volunteers will actually place the trees in holes and cover their roots with dirt. Volunteers will also water and mulch the newly planted trees. Refreshments will be served and there will be opportunities for young and older children to participate. Also, as in past years, Mayor Johnson will provide a brief welcome at the beginning of the tree planting.

We would very much appreciate your coverage of this year’s tree planting. We expect that there will be some good opportunities for photographs and dialogue with excited and happy residents.

Also, as you may be aware, every year the Greensburg Tree Commission struggles to fund not only our tree planting projects, but also the removal and pruning of older trees. It would be a great assistance to us if we could meet with you at your conve-nience to discuss the commission and its work. We believe that street and park trees are crucial to the health and welfare of our town and its people.