WV Project CommuniTree

“Building Communities from the Roots Up”

CTree Projects - Spring 2014

Elks Run Watershed Group

Spring 2014

 

This WV project CommuniTree project was the second tree planting hosted by the Elks Run Watershed Group (ERWG), whose mission is to act as an advocate and steward of the Elks Run watershed by undertaking projects that will lead to pollution reduction and connecting citizens to the watershed. For this project, they partnered with Jefferson County Parks and Recreation with the idea that doing so would help expand our volunteer base and provide a publicly accessible planting site next to the actual Run.

They received a modified 24 mix (6 large redbuds, 3 large Serviceberry, 3 large Flowering Dogwood, 4 small hazelnut, 4 small spicebush, 4 small elderberry.) Power lines run through a portion of the area to be planted, so they chose smaller trees/shrubs that will not interfere with those lines. The trees were planted in the grassy area in-between the "pond" and Elks Run before it meets the foot bridge and camping area. Because they were planting a small number of trees, they chose to combine the tree planting with the WV Make It Shine and Chesapeake Bay Watershed Project Clean Stream cleanup programs.

52 volunteers in hats, coats, and gloves braced a very strong and chilly wind as they worked between 8 am and noon planting trees and cleaning the park. The actual planting of trees only took about an hour--so an hour of prep, an hour of getting organized and educated, and an hour to plant with 30 minutes of clean up and then 30 minutes to celebrate their hard work!

Once again, local civic groups that volunteered include BSA Troop 83 and Pack 42 and Jefferson High School National Honor Society. Half of the volunteers worked at the planting site while the other half cleaned up trash.

A word from Project Leader, ERWG President Beth Brent:

“The tree plantings continue to be a win on all fronts---more trees in the ground, greater awareness brought to the watershed, fun way to involve the community in caring for the watershed, educational, opportunity to partner with other community groups and meet new people---all good.”

 

 

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CTree PARTNERS

 

 

Cacapon Institute - From the Cacapon to the Potomac to the Chesapeake Bay, we protect rivers and watersheds using science and education.

Cacapon Institute
PO Box 68
High View, WV 26808
304-856-1385 (tele)
304-856-1386 (fax)
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Frank Rodgers,  Executive Director

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