Starting in the spring of 2011, NMRWA partnered with TreeVitalize Pittsburgh, the Borough of Wilkinsburg, and the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation in the Wilkinsburg TreeVitalize Project: Rooted in Wilkinsburg – 500 Tree Initiative. Completed in the spring of 2013, 500 trees were added to the Borough of Wilkinsburg’s streets and greenspaces. Pits prepared for these trees removed approximately 6000 square feet of impervious surface and are already intercepting thousands of gallons of stormwater – a number which increases each year as these trees mature. Over 400 volunteers helped planted and care for these trees, attending 29 events and providing over 1300 hours of service – the equivalent of nearly $28,000!