Volunteers plant dozens of trees at Holmes Lake as part of global environmental effort

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — A group of volunteers spent Wednesday afternoon planting about 40 new trees on the north side of Holmes Lake, all in the name of getting more young adults involved in improving the environment.

ASEZ WAO, a global organization founded by the World Mission Society Church of God, works to prevent crime, fight climate change and provide community service around the globe. About 20 of the group’s activists gathered from Omaha and Lincoln on Wednesday, and were joined by several members of the Lincoln Parks and Recreation department.

The parks and rec team brought planting supplies and demonstrated how to properly plant a young tree. They also gave the ASEZ WAO members a certificate of appreciation from the mayor’s office for their efforts.

ASEZ WAO said it’s goal is to plant 8 billion trees across the globe, one for each human being, to promote cleaner air and reduce the effects of greenhouse gasses.

“I really care about the environment because we live on this Earth, it is our only home, the only place where human beings can live,” member Jessica Clark said. “It’s our responsibility to take care of it so that we can be here as long as we can.”

A variety of trees were planted, including Black Cherry, a type of oak and several cottonwood species. Parks and rec members said around 90% of new trees in Lincoln tend to survive after these plantings, with losses usually attributed to storms or vandalism.

ASEZ WAO also visited Holmes Lake in May, to clean up trash over Memorial Day weekend. Officials said they’ll be holding more events soon, including a blood drive later this year.

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