Volunteers Needed to Plant Native Trees Along Shore Streams

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is seeking volunteers to help plant thousands of native trees and plants along stream banks in Northampton and Accomack counties. Native trees, shrubs, and grasses planted along streams trap and filter runoff pollution, reduce erosion, provide wildlife habitat, and improve the health of local waterways. Re-establishing such natural pollution filters along waterways is among the key strategies of the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, the federal-state plan to restore streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. These Eastern Shore stream plantings are funded by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Plantings will be at four sites:

— Camp Occohannock near Belle Haven on March 13 from 1-4 p.m.; March 14 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; and March 15 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
— Near Painter on March 21 and March 22 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. each day

— Near Silver Beach on Occohannock Neck on March 25, March 26, and March 27 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. each day

— Near Onley on March 29 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Volunteers should bring a hat, sunscreen, bug spray (if desired), drinking water, and wear long pants and sturdy shoes that can get wet and muddy. The plantings are family-friendly events and suitable for children who are supervised by a responsible adult on a one-to-one basis. Plantings will be held rain or shine.

CBF also will be accepting donated oyster, clam, and mussel shells during each of the planting events. The shells will be used for future CBF oyster restoration projects.

Volunteers for all planting events should RSVP to Libby Norris at [email protected] or by calling 757-717-3808.

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