Faces of Conservation

Barbara Hebner (in red jacket)
watches her grandchildren plant trees
© Steven Billups

Barbara Hebner: A Gratified Grandmother

When Barbara Hebner removed some trees in her back yard, she never expected her grandchildren to be devastated to the point of tears. But that was the reaction.

“I have nine grandchildren living nearby, and needed to expand the dining room so that we could all sit together as a family,” shares Hebner, a retired Unitarian Universalist minister who resides in Newark. “However, I guess we’ve taught them well, because they really valued what was being lost in exchange for more family space.”

Her 9-year-old grandson, Gabriel, even expressed concern about the family’s “carbon debt.” Like many grandmothers, Hebner knew just what to do.

“I gave three of my grandchildren each a donation towards the Conservancy’s ‘Add-A-Tree’ program,” comments Hebner. “This way we would replace what had been removed.”

During a recent workday, the children toured the preserve and helped to plant the trees. Gabriel planted a maple, while his 5-year-old brother Brendan planted an oak. Their cousin, 9-year-old Lindsay, planted a cherry tree. The trees represent a tradition the family hopes to continue as they mark significant occasions in the future.

“Mrs. Hebner was pleased to turn this situation into a positive model for community involvement, something that is very important to her family,” adds Heaton. “And we were happy to have some assistance in reaching our goal of planting thousands of hardwood saplings throughout the preserve over the next several years.”

To learn more about the Conservancy’s “Add-A-Tree” program at the Pemberton Forest Preserve, contact Debbie Heaton at (302) 654-4707 or dheaton@tnc.org.