Conservation News: December 2018

By Dave Keane

Pictured are: Rachel Bernard, Jon Thames, Larry & Betsy Forte, Donald Lee, Karen & Chad Baker, Peter Thompson and Dave Dowiak.
What do you do when it snows? You plant trees! On Saturday, November 17th the PVFF joined StreamLink Education, www.streamlinkeducation.org along with other volunteers to plant 610 native trees along the Monocacy River in the Waterside Community. A total 101 volunteers turned out despite the snowfall that fell two days prior.

“Pretty amazing turnout. I’m so glad the snow didn’t keep people away. Just shows the dedication of our volunteers!” — Lisa Baird, Streamlink Education

The mission of StreamLink Education is to connect community to conservation through educational volunteer tree-planting experiences to instill environmental stewardship and improve the health of our rivers and streams.

Planting trees and shrubs along the banks of rivers and streams helps in many ways.

  • Trees will grow and provide shade for fish and other aquatic life
  • The roots from plants will help stabilize stream banks
  • Forested buffers serve as wildlife corridors
  • Canopies of large trees intercept raindrops and slows rainfall allowing for slower infiltration
  • Leaf litter accumulates on the forest floor and acts as sponge soaking up rainfall and reducing soil erosion I have lived near the Monocacy River for almost 17 years and I’m always dismayed how muddy the River becomes after the smallest amount of rainfall.

Thanks to the following members for coming out and planting trees!