Photo courtesy of Syahrin Seth on Unsplash.
The Master Watershed Stewards of Berks and Schuylkill counties would like to invite the public to join us at Sweet Arrow Lake, 50 Wolfes Road, Pine Grove, on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 9 a.m. (storm date: Monday, 10/9) in planting a live stake nursery. We will be planting 60 native shrubs along Upper Little Swatara Creek, and additional volunteers are needed to help with this effort. We will start planting at 9 a.m. and work until each shrub is properly planted and installed with a weed barrier mat and mulch. The initial holes will be pre-dug with an auger, but we may widen the holes for proper planting.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m.
Location: 50 Wolfes Rd, Pine Grove
Other details: Guests are kindly advised to come dressed for the weather and ready for hands-on outdoor work. We recommend bringing a beverage or water bottle, a trusty pair of gloves, and any personal tools you’d like to use. Rest assured, we’ll supply water, snacks, and tree-planting equipment to keep everyone energized and comfortable throughout the event.
This riparian buffer is unique because it will act as a live stake plant nursery. Live stakes are branch cuttings from specific trees and shrubs that, when properly inserted into eroded or exposed soil, will eventually take root and grow into new trees or shrubs. This helps stabilize creek and stream banks and prevent further soil loss. The event will include a short educational piece to orient volunteers to this unique nursery installation, introduce plants that are suitable for live stake planting in the area, outline the uses and benefits of riparian buffers, and review proper tree planting techniques.
Once the nursery is established, Penn State Master Watershed Stewards and their partners can harvest branch cuttings to help restore other streamside banks throughout Schuylkill County. The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward (MWS) program of Berks and Schuylkill counties is pleased to be partnering with the Township of Pine Grove, the Schuylkill County Conservation District, Schuylkill County Parks and Recreation, Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association, and Friends of Schuylkill Parks and Recreation on this exciting project. We also wish to thank Schuylkill Trees, who has provided the wood chips to mulch the trees, and Pine Grove FFA, who will assist with the planting.
We need lots of extra hands to help with this installation! If you can join us, please either sign up here (https://tinyurl.com/SchuylkillNurseryPlanting) or contact Natalie Marioni at nkm5342@psu.edu or 610-378-1327.
If you would like to learn more about live stakes, stream health, or how to get involved as a Master Watershed Steward in Berks or Schuylkill counties, contact Marioni as well.
The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at 610-378-1327 in advance of your participation or visit.
The University is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information, or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University’s educational mission, and will not be tolerated. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Office, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901, Email: aao@psu.edu, Tel: 814-863-0471.
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