Volunteers Needed To Plant Trees Along Riverbank September 9th
Many newer residents and visitors to the North Loop have no idea how things looked along our section of riverbank just four years ago. Invasive species of buckthorn and vines had taken over to the point that many pedestrians and cyclists would’ve been unaware that there was a river on the other side of that tangled mess. You just couldn’t see it.
But thanks to four years of efforts from volunteers who stepped up to help their community, the invasive species have been cleared out. And now more volunteers are needed to plant native species of hardwood trees that are adapted to our climate.
On September 9th, starting at 10am, the North Loop Neighborhood Association is hosting its biggest one-day Service Saturday event ever. We’ll be planting 150 small trees, supplied by Friends of the Mississippi River. Gloves, tools, water and guidance will be provided to all volunteers who show up to help.
In a similar effort two summers ago, volunteers put protective white cones around the newly-planted trees to help keep them upright and keep rodents and rabbits from chewing on them. More than half survived–a good percentage–and a good indicator of which species are best suited for this setting.
North Loop Neighborhood Association board member David Crary, the driving force behind these efforts, says he’s already received a commitment from Substance Church to provide volunteers on the 9th. He’s hoping to get 40 more volunteers from the North Loop community.
If you’re able to help, just show up at the playground (4th Ave N & West River Parkway) on the 9th and someone will direct you to the area where the planting is happening.
By Mike Binkley, North Loop volunteer