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The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area hosted more than 60 volunteers Saturday morning at the Sunset View Wildlife Area within Yuma East Wetlands, planting over 100 new trees around the rim of the park.

Just over a year ago, a $10,000 grant from Arizona Public Service's Community Tree Program funded nearly 160 native trees and shrubs to beautify the southeast corner of East Wetlands. Those trees took to the soil and have continued to grow for a year.

Building on the success of that first phase, APS donated another $10,000 to add more trees this year. YCNHA staff dug and measured the holes for the new plants, and volunteers of all ages took part in planting them, creating a memory that they can return to for years to come.

"This was just a dirt pile last year," said YCNHA Executive Director Cathy Douglas. "It took about $500,000 in grant money to build out what we have with the ramada and all the trails and trees. Thank you to APS for continuing to support our project and beautify Yuma. It takes a community to make things like this happen."