For Release: Thursday, April 16, 2009
Celebrate National Volunteer Week and Arbor Day by Volunteering to Plant Trees
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) "Hudson River Estuary Trees for Tribs" initiative will host two volunteer "potting events" in celebration of Arbor Day and National Volunteer Week.
The events will be held Friday, April 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to noon, at DEC's regional office in New Paltz (Ulster County) at the "Berm," the elevated ground that borders the north-northwest perimeter of the parking lot.
Arbor Day is a national observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care. First celebrated in 1872, it was established as a way to encourage farmers and homesteaders to plant trees to provide shade, shelter, food, fuel and beauty to open areas. In New York, Arbor Day is held on the last Friday in April. National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) is an event that seeks to honor the individuals who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in their communities.
DEC volunteers will help pot-up bareroot seedlings for the "Hudson River Estuary Trees for Tribs" initiative, a program that offers free native plants to landowners who qualify for stream buffer restoration projects.
In just two years, the "Hudson River Estuary Trees for Tribs" initiative has been responsible for planting more than 32,000 feet of stream buffers along the estuary's tributaries with 12,000 native trees, shrubs, and grasses. More than 70 projects have been completed to date with the help of approximately 1,200 volunteers.
For further information on "Hudson River Estuary Trees for Tribs" program, visit the DEC website.
For specific questions regarding this volunteer event, contact Amy Bloomfield at abbloomf@gw.dec.state.ny.us or Kevin Grieser at kagriese@gw.dec.state.ny.us or call 845-256-3145.
