A total of thirty new trees were planted at B.M.C. Durfee High School on May 20, 2006, as part of the Fall River Street Tree Planting Program. The Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation in partnership with the United Church of Christ provided the funds to purchase the trees. Retired Rev. James Hornsby and the Greater Fall River Council of Churches applied for and received the grant that brought together students, teachers, tree stewards, members of the Fall River Street Tree Planting Program and citizen volunteers to plant ginkgo, tupelo and goldenrain trees.This is the third Mass Releaf Ministry grant awarded to Fall River with 15 trees planted at Abbott Court in 2004 and 20 trees at Pulaski Park in 2005. The United Church of Christ, through the MASS RELEAF Ministry helps to minister to the physical and mental health and community spirit of people living in deforested urban areas through hand-on tree planting projects which bring environmental justice into neighborhoods. Trees improve the quality of our environment and enhance the lives of our citizens. For more information about the program, please contact Mary Ann Wordell at 508-679-8887 or by e-mail at MACWROSE@NETSCAPE.COM. 
 

(Top row, left) Trustees of Reservations Property Manager Michael Labossiere directs Durfee students in placing the first tree in the planting row next to the school parking lot. (Top row, center) Marie Montgomery in her yellow hard-hat listens as Matt Suneson consults with  Michael Labossiere. (Middle row, left ) Ben Levesque places a tree while Karen Tavares and Kristina Lopes provide direction. (Middle row, right) Samantha Li and Diana Chase help Voun Phin check the right depth to plant the root ball. (Bottom row, left) Karri McCarty and Carolyn O'Brien cut away the burlap (Bottom row, center) Jamison Sullivan, Sean Cusick and Sean Sweeney.