Girl Scouts Troop 312 from West Valley City chose to work with Tree Utah to plant a tree at Peachwood Park, located in West Valley City at 3530 W 3965 S, as a symbol to inspire people to care for the air we breathe and to recognize air as something to protect and cherish. Ivory Homes helped sponsor the tree as part of their initiative to plant 30,000 trees across the State of Utah. 

This activity is part of a Girl Scouts “Breathe Journey” project that enables the girls to use their leadership skills and values to protect the air of our planet. The West Valley City troop also attended a bi-partisan Clean Air Caucus meeting at the Capitol and worked on a series of experiments and exercises that explored various elements of our air. 

The girls decided to name the tree after the troop, “Troop Tree WVC 312.” When this tree matures, it will absorb approximately 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and may release enough oxygen for one person to breath for a period of two years. Additionally, over the next 30 years, this one tree will translate to $124 worth of benefits from stormwater runoff and air quality improvement savings.

Representative Craig Hall who represents District 30 in the Utah State House of Representatives also joined the girls in helping to plant the troop tree. The girls were able to interview him on the various state-led initiatives related to air quality.

Attendees included Amy May and Ian Peisner from Tree Utah, Jamon Armitstead from Ivory Homes, Representative Craig Hall, Darin Nerdin from West Valley City, and parents and members of Girl Scouts Troop WVC 312. 

Melissa Young is the troop leader of WVC 312, and troop members include, Mylie Young, Masami Goodick, Alyssa Potter, Jocelyn Mulford, Emily Scherzinger, Deziraye Gallegos, Kenna Bush, Veronica Potter, Lily Palmer, Phoenix Brooks, Story Barker, Marcela Samaniego, and Estrella Jaramillo.