SHANKSVILLE — The National Park Service (NPS) and the Friends of Flight 93 hosted volunteers Thursday and Friday during National Volunteer Week. Over two days 150 volunteers contributed hundreds of hours to improve the National Memorial and observe Earth Day.

On Thursday, the NPS hosted the PennDel Chapter of International Society of Arboriculture. Approximately 50 certified arborists joined hands and chainsaws to assist with tree pruning, hazardous tree removal and wood chipping along roadways and scenic views.

“We are excited to continue the tradition of bringing volunteers together and around National Park Week to assist with many projects across the memorial landscape,” said Western Pennsylvania National Parks, Chief of Resource Management Colleen Curry.

The Friends of Flight 93 continue to support the growth of this incredible landscape memorial,” said Donna Gibson, Executive Director of the Friends of Flight 93. “Now that the reforestation project has been completed, the Friends are looking forward to new environmental projects with the National Park Service.”

The Friends of Flight 93 welcomed nearly one hundred volunteers Friday from regional businesses to volunteer at Flight 93 National Memorial. The US Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement (OSMRE) and Pennsylvania Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) assisted with the planting of 1,500 native trees and 625 native shrubs over 3 acres. Native wildflowers grown by the NPS were planted by volunteers to replace non-native grasses on a hillside overlooking the 40 Memorial Groves.

ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF FLIGHT 93 NATIONAL MEMORIAL Established in 2009, the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial is the official nonprofit partner of Flight 93 National Memorial. The Friends’ aim is to inform, honor and pay tribute to the heroes of Flight 93 by supporting the Memorial with volunteers and resources. The Friends’ mission is to focus on awareness, education, volunteer support, preservation and stewardship. To learn more about the Friends, make a donation to support the memorial, or become a member visit www.Flight93Friends.org.

ABOUT FLIGHT 93 NATIONAL MEMORIAL Flight 93 National Memorial is a National Park Service site that commemorates the passengers and crew members of Flight 93 who, on September 11, 2001, courageously gave their lives thereby thwarting a planned attack on our nation’s capital. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. For more information on Flight 93 National Memorial visit www.nps.gov/flni.