GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Tree Committee is seeking up to 10 volunteers to help with its final tree planting event of the season at the John Zon Community Center.

The planting will be held Saturday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m.

Gina Siepel, who joined the Tree Committee last year after participating in a tree planting on her densely populated street, believes it’s “vital” to restore the city’s tree cover.

“The trees have become important neighbors and community members,” Siepel said in a statement. “They not only provide shade, but also connect us to nature, as birds and other wildlife make the trees their homes.”

A recent study by scientists at the University of Melbourne demonstrated the positive ecological impact planting native trees can have. The scientists inventoried insect species before they planted a dozen native trees on a 2,000-square-foot plot next to a major roadway. After three years, they took another inventory and discovered that the number of insect species had multiplied more than seven times to a total of 94 species.

The John Zon Community Center’s tree planting is not only the last of the season, but also the last planting funded by a five-year Landscape Scale Restoration Grant from the U.S. Forest Service. The grant has enabled the Department of Public Works and the all-volunteer Tree Committee to plant nearly 800 trees.

“The Forest Service grant has been a real boost to the city,” Mary Chicoine, leader of the Tree Committee, said in a statement. “The grant not only enabled us to plant several hundred trees, but it also funded the start-up of a tree nursery. We are now growing mostly native trees for the DPW and our own volunteers to plant in public spaces around Greenfield.”

She added, “Now that the grant is completed, our group is actively seeking donations from the public so that we can continue planting trees.”

Those who are interested in helping with Saturday’s tree planting are asked to email greenfieldtreecommittee@yahoo.com or call 413-774-5667. To learn more about the Greenfield Tree Committee or to donate, visit greenfieldtreecommittee.org.