Environmental Effort News Today

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A mysterious phenomenon occurred all around Tampa Bay in the late 1970s and early 1980s. When the sun went down and the streets were empty, someone clandestinely planted trees in parks, thoroughfare and empty lots.

A mysterious phenomenon occurred all around Tampa Bay in the late 1970s and early 1980s. When the sun went down and the streets were empty, someone clandestinely planted trees in parks, thoroughfare and empty lots. Local resident William Moriaty eventually admitted he was the culprit leading a group of volunteers in the rogue plantings, and in 1983, he went legit by forming a reforestation group.

A mysterious phenomenon occurred all around Tampa Bay in the late 1970s and early 1980s. When the sun went down and the streets were empty, someone clandestinely planted trees in parks, thoroughfare and empty lots. Local resident William Moriaty eventually admitted he was the culprit leading a group of volunteers in the rogue plantings, and in 1983, he went legit by forming a reforestation group.

William Moriaty founded the Tampa Bay Reforestation and Environmental Effort 40 years ago.

With the rapid growth in the Tampa Bay area in the last few years, a major concern for activists is preserving our trees.