HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) – The City of Harrisonburg is reportedly advancing its environmental stewardship efforts through the establishment of a reforestation project that will contribute to long-term water quality improvements and habitat restoration.

The Rockingham County property, originally acquired in 2020, is being transformed into a large-scale reforestation site managed by Harrisonburg Public Works. The initiative supports the City’s commitment to meeting its 2028 pollution reduction requirements under the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Action Plan.

Over the next several years, approximately 100 acres of former farmland will be converted into
forest through a phased planting approach. The site is expected to include roughly 30,000 trees by 2028 and will remain forested in perpetuity to provide lasting environmental benefits.

Planting efforts are already underway. Shenandoah Habitats, the City’s contractor, planted 10,705 trees this spring across 34.95 acres. Additional planting phases are planned, with nearly 40 more acres scheduled for spring 2027 and the remaining 23.5 acres to be completed in spring 2028. Ongoing maintenance will continue between planting cycles to ensure the health and success of the young forest.

“This project is a great way to reduce pollution flowing to the Chesapeake Bay while also expanding forest habitat in our region,” Public Works Sustainability and Environmental Manager Keith Thomas said in a release. “We are excited for this project to help the city meet its 2028 Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction targets.”

Find more information about Harrisonburg’s environmental initiatives at Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit Program | City of Harrisonburg, VA.