The tree planting started at 9 AM on
Saturday, May 17, 2014. Twenty-three people participated,
including two liaisons from the Cacapon Institute. The
volunteers were from the Sleepy Creek Watershed Association
(9) and the Greenwood Elementary School: Principal (1),
Parents (7), and Students (4).
It was a warm, sunny morning. However,
the ground was very wet from a heavy rainfall the preceding
Thursday evening/Friday morning.
The majority of the volunteers worked 2
hours Saturday morning. However, this shorten time was
facilitated by 3 school parents digging the holes for the
trees the night before the planting and 4 Sleepy Creek
Watershed members starting an hour earlier Saturday morning
to assist the Cacapon Institute representatives in
distributing the trees and other supporting materials to the
pre-dug holes. After planting instructions were
demonstrated by the Cacapon Institute liaisons at 9 AM, the
volunteers divided into groups and the plantings proceeded
without any major issues. Ten trees were planted along the
south edge of the school property, two in the playground
area, and four behind the main school building.
The WV Project CommuniTree sign was
attached to the fence at the entrance to the school parking
lot, and at the conclusion of the planting, lunch was served
by the principal in the school cafeteria.
All-in-all it was a good event and
everyone was pleased with their participation and the
outcome.
A word from the Project Leader, Sleepy
Creek Watershed Association President Charles Marsh:
“Our favorite part of the project was
the actual tree planting. It was good to see the diverse
volunteers come together to accomplish it. What was most
memorable was the enthusiastic participation of the four
students. Although some Sleepy Creek Watershed Association
members were experience tree planters, all volunteers
benefited from the educational opportunity. Tanner Haid of
the Cacapon Institute did a superb job in demonstrating how
to properly plant a tree and involving the young volunteers
in the demonstration.”