Since its inception, Re-Tree WNY has made great strides in replenishing lost trees throughout the region due to the October Surprise storm. The organization has a five-year goal aimed towards restoring much of what was lost. Since the time of the storm, communities have come together to document the tree loss while volunteering to plant new trees at the same time. Without those volunteer hours, the effort would have been futile.
This coming Saturday there is an important training session taking place at Delaware Park that teaches volunteer coordinators how to tackle the problem of replanting larger trees than would be normally possible. The roots of the trees have been dipped in hydrogel, which means that extended exposure to air is allowed. Normally these trees would be very heavy due to the burlap-wrapped soil that is collected at the roots. Hydrogel allows for larger than normal (no, not the one in the photo) trees to be planted by individuals, and that means that the tree will have a better chance of surviving. There are also many cost saving measures when using hydrogel, mostly because large machines are not needed. Saturday’s training session is for people who are, or who would like to be, heading up planting groups in May… these people must become familiar with the ‘bare root’ planting process that will see upwards of 2,100 trees planted in May (75 species) and upwards of 4,000 trees this fall.
*Future tree planting dates are Saturdays starting May 3rd. Plantings are being organized by Re-Tree WNY, a service of the 501-C3 organization Keep WNY Beautiful, headed by Jim Pavel, and the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, led by newly appointed CEO Thomas Herrera-Mischler.
Delaware Park Training Session | 2PM, Saturday April 5, 2008 | The Parkside Lodge | 84 Parkside Avenue | Buffalo, NY 14214 | (716) 838-1249
queenseyes
Newell Nussbaumer is 'queenseyes' - Eyes of the Queen City and Founder of Buffalo Rising. Co-founder Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts. Co-founder Powder Keg Festival that built the world's largest ice maze (Guinness Book of World Records). Instigator behind Emerald Beach at the Erie Basin Marina. Co-creator of Rusty Chain Beer. Instigator of Buffalo Porchfest, and Paint vs. Paint. Founder of The Peddler retro and vintage market on Elmwood. Instigator behind Liberty Hound @ Canalside. Throws The Witches Ball at Statler City, the Hertel Alley Street Art Festival, and The Flutterby Festival. And his latest adventure... FigBuffalo, with the intention of creating a Buffalo United Fashion Front (BUFF). Contact Newell Nussbaumer | Newell@BuffaloRising.com