The Pennsylvania Environmental Council in partnership with the Lands at Hillside Farms coordinated a streamside tree planting project at the Lands at Hillside Farms in Trucksville on May 7, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The project, which included planting seven larger trees and 50 seedlings, is an implementation project of the Wyoming Valley Rivers Conservation Plan that was prepared by PEC in 2008. The tree plantings were made possible by funding provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The tree planting project was conducted along the banks of the Huntsville Creek as it flows through the Lands at Hillside Farms. The purpose of the tree planting is to reduce stream bank erosion, improve water quality and to provide wildlife habitat.
Students from Wilkes University, staff from the Pennsylvania American Water Company and staff from the Lands at Hillside Farms volunteered to plant the trees. The volunteers received a brief presentation regarding the importance of planting native species of trees and their positive impact on stream bank stabilization and reduction of stream bank erosion, as well as, the water quality improvements made by the planting. The volunteers learned how to properly plant larger trees as well as how to plant tree seedlings using tree shelters to protect the seedlings.
The larger trees were purchased at a discount from Rogers Nursery, food donations for the volunteers were graciously donated by Newell Fuel Service, Rte. 309, Dallas and the Lands at Hillside Farms donated ice cream to the volunteers.
This tree planting project is a continuation of previous tree plantings conducted at the Lands at Hillside Farms in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council would like to thank everyone involved in this very worthwhile project.