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.”