DEC ANNOUNCES HUDSON ESTUARY TREES FOR TRIBS ‘POTTING UP’ APRIL 29

 

Annual Arbor Day Event Sponsored by DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program

 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs (tributaries) program will kick-off the spring planting season with a “Potting Up” event in celebration of Arbor Day on Friday, April 29. Volunteers are welcome to join DEC Estuary Program staff in potting up thousands of bare-root seedlings that will be used in the Trees for Tribs program.

“The Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs program provides a great opportunity for community members to work together as environmental stewards and assist in the efforts to protect vulnerable streamsides with tree plantings,” said Commissioner Seggos. “These plantings are important tools to stabilize streambanks, reduce erosion and water pollution, slow flood waters, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.”

Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs plantings will take place throughout the Hudson Valley in May and June. Municipalities, environmental organizations, land trusts, watershed groups, and schools participate and volunteer. All ages are welcome, but younger volunteers must be accompanied by an adult. On-site training is provided. For information about Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs planting sites and volunteer opportunities, please visit DEC’s website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5098.html#Tribs. Volunteer planters are coordinated by managers at each site.

The Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery provides the plants. They are native, New York seed-sourced riparian species, ideal for flood and erosion-prone areas. To learn more about Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs, a video about Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs is available on DEC’s YouTube at Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs or visit DEC’s Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs webpage.

To volunteer, please RSVP to HudsonEstuaryTFT@dec.ny.gov. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DEC Region 3 Headquarters, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz.

Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that promotes tree plantings and tree care and highlights the importance of trees to the environment, economy and overall quality of life. Now celebrating its 14^th year, more than 8,000 Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs volunteers have planted at least 56,000 shrubs and trees on 120+ acres at 324 streamside sites.