Thousands of children in Virginia and other states are digging into Mother Nature this spring thanks to Project Plant It!, an environmental education program that was created and launched 10 years ago by Dominion Resources. A hallmark of the program is the distribution of a free redbud tree seedling to all children who are registered to participate. The seedlings are shipped to arrive around Arbor Day, which is Friday.

This year, for the first time since the program began in 2007, enrollment was open to all grade levels in every state in which Dominion operates. Also, other entities that educate or work with youth could sign up to participate. In 2016, about 50,000 redbud seedlings will be sent to church groups, elementary schools, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, early childhood centers and homeschools across the commonwealth and in other states.

“Project Plant It! is spreading its roots into hundreds of new localities to celebrate this program’s tenth anniversary, which is a very exciting milestone,” Project Plant It! spokesperson for Dominion Suyapa Marquez said. “This program is one of the many ways that Dominion seeks to partner with the communities it serves.”