East Avenue could be described as a tree desert, but one local nonprofit is trying to fix that.

Research shows that trees not only improve air quality but also help with energy conservation and promote mental and physical health.

This October, Groundwork Erie will plant 200 trees in the area in an effort to sustainably improve the environment.

Their executive director, Erin Carey, gave details on how this initiative will help the community.

"Our overall mission with Groundwork is to engage youth in projects that are meaningful to the environment. We'll be hiring a crew of six youth, 15 to 18 years old, to be the ones physically planting our trees with our staff," Carey said.

She hopes that this project will help them to feel empowered.

Between 6th and 12th East Avenue, there are only

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