The Pennsylvania Environmental Council in partnership with the Lands at Hillside Farms coordinated a streamside tree planting project at the Lands at Hillside Farm in Trucksville on November 14, 2008.
The tree planting is an implementation project of the Wyoming Valley Rivers Conservation Plan that was prepared by PEC in 2008. The tree planting has been made possible by funding provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The tree planting project is being 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 improve wildlife habitat.
Volunteers for the planting included students from the Wyoming Valley Montessori School and employees from Benco Dental Company and Unison Engine Components. Vincent Cotrone, Urban Forester from Penn State Cooperative Extension gave an educational talk to the volunteers explaining the importance of stream bank stabilization, how the trees will reduce stream bank erosion and improve water quality, as well as, informed them about the native species of trees that they would be planting, how to plant the trees properly and how to maintain them. The volunteers planted 100 native tree and shrub seedlings and installed 50 tree shelters. The volunteers planted Oak, Silver Maple, Sycamore, Dogwood, Arrowood Viberum, Serviceberry and Willow along the banks of the Huntsville Creek.
Food donations for the volunteers were graciously donated by Sheetz, Rte. 309, Dallas and the volunteers were served ice cream from the Hillside Dairy.
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council would like to thank everyone involved in this very worthwhile project.