The Montgomery County Conservation District is seeking volunteers to help plant trees and shrubs – a riparian buffer – along Plymouth Creek in Montgomery County between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. October 12 and 13. Partial day help is welcome.

Volunteers will help with a variety of assignments, ranging from tending to the trees to handing out bottles of water. The Goldenberg Group, manager of the Metroplex shopping center, will provide lunch and refreshments during the work hours.

Project organizers will prepare holes for large trees ahead of time to facilitate the planting. However, volunteers are encouraged to bring a shovel to plant smaller trees and shrubs. Parking is available near the Pet Smart and Rooms Today stores in the Metroplex shopping center on Chemical Road in Plymouth Township.

A riparian buffer is an area along a stream or river that is vegetated with trees and shrubs that helps to filter pollutants from stormwater, reduces the stream water’s temperature, stabilizes the soil against erosion and sedimentation, and provides habitat for aquatic wildlife. Together, these measures improve water quality.

Riparian buffers can also provide aesthetic benefits to a stream such as Plymouth Creek, which flows through highly developed portions of the Philadelphia suburbs.

This volunteer event is part of the TreeVitalize project, which is spearheaded by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with many public and private partners. The $8 million program aims to plant 20,000 shade trees in neighborhoods, create 1,000 acres of stream buffers, and educate 2,000 citizens on tree care and planting in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Those interested are encouraged to register online by visiting the Montgomery County Conservation District website or call the conservation district’s Susan Harris at 610-489-4506 for more information.

10/5/2007