Colstrip employees green up their community

Nearly 2,000 trees — Colorado blue spruce, Black Hills spruce, ponderosa pine and bur oak — may soon take root in eastern Montana, thanks to the Arbor Day tree distribution by PPL Montana employees at the Colstrip power plant. 

On behalf of the employees there, the Colstrip power plant purchased and distributed 700 trees last week for the students and teachers at the elementary, junior high and high schools in Colstrip.

The plant also purchased 300 trees for the city of Colstrip , 300 trees for the Forsyth Tree Board to hand out to children in Forsyth, a town north of Colstrip, and 500 trees for plant employees. PPL Montana and the city of Colstrip teamed up to sponsor a poster and sculpture contest for the children at Pine Butte Elementary School.

“Giving out trees to children, people in the community and in Forsyth is a great way to celebrate Arbor Day and show that we care about the environment,” said Bill Neumiller, senior environmental engineer at Colstrip.

“Colstrip this year received its third Tree City USA award from the National Arbor Day Foundation. A lot of people worked hard to achieve the distinction, and everyone at the plant wanted to do their part to make sure we continue to earn this honor,” he said.

Tree City USA is a national effort for resources and recognition for urban and community forestry programs.