With a goal of planting 100 trees in the Lower Naugatuck Valley this year in honor of their 100th anniversary, the Valley Boy Scouts of Derby-based Troop 3 will be busy this Friday planting 20 trees each in Derby and Shelton.
“The Good Friday Good Turn” community service project in an annual event the troop has performed for more than 25 years.
The four-to-six foot trees were purchased through the generosity of Troop 3 alumni and the Derby Second Congregational Church, the sponsoring organization of the troop since 1914.
Troop 3 is one of 40 Cub Packs, Scout Troops, Venture Crews and Explorer Posts of the Housatonic Council Boy Scouts of America.
In Shelton, a variety of trees will be planted along Howe Avenue, Center Street, and Bridge Street in the planter spaces without trees. Also, trees will be planted at the Shelton River Walk.
In Derby, trees will be planted along the Derby Riverwalk and dogwood trees will be planted at the recently opened Ansonia-Derby Dog Park on Coon Hollow Road.
Troop 3 Scout Anthony Bartholomew assisted the City of Derby in the development of the dog park in 2013 as his Community Service Project for Eagle Scout rank.
Shelton Mayor and Housatonic Council BSA executive board member Mark Lauretti is planning to visit the tree planting effort in Shelton at 10 a.m. on April 18 and Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto is expected at the Derby Riverwalk, at 11 a.m. to visit with the Troop 3 scouts.
Troop 3 Eagle Scout candidate Matthew Edwards, of Ansonia, is planning to lead the scouts in planting 20 white pine trees at the Ansonia Nature Center on April 26, as part of Earth Day activities.
Plans are also underway for planting trees in Seymour and Oxford.
