For Immediate Release: Wednesday May 20, 2015
CONTACT: Ron Rhodes, North Country River Steward, Connecticut River Watershed Council, (802) 457-6114 or rrhodes@ctriver.org
Six Upper Valley rivers get 2,200 new trees and shrubs this spring
Pomfret, VT – May is tree planting season along our local rivers and this year the Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRC) and project partners planted 2,200 native trees and shrubs along six Upper Valley rivers in New Hampshire and Vermont.
The plantings will reduce erosion, improve water quality, reduce in-stream temperatures by providing shade, increase habitat for fish and wildlife, increase summer food for songbirds and other wildlife, and stabilize the stream banks. Planting sites included:
· Piermont, NH on Eastman Brook where CRC partnered with the Conservation Commission and Piermont School;
· Orford, NH on the Connecticut River where CRC partnered with Tullando Farm, the Conservation Commission and the USDA/NRCS;
· Groton, VT on the Wells River where CRC replanted the site of the dam removal project completed last year along Rte. 302;
· Bradford, VT on the Waits River where CRC partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bradford Golf Course;
· Woodstock, VT on the Ottauquechee River where CRC partnered with Billings Farm, Greater Upper Valley Trout Unlimited, and Change the World Kids; and
· Cavendish, VT on the Black River where CRC helped the Conservation Commission, Black River Action Team, and VT Agency of Natural Resources.
“These on-the-ground projects help maintain and protect clean water and wildlife habitat, as well as restore our rivers to their natural states,” said Andrew Fisk, CRC’s Executive Director. “This brings the total number of trees and shrubs planted by our staff, volunteers and team of partners to 10,300 since Tropical Storm Irene. Restoring our rivers and stream banks has meaningful benefits to all of us who enjoy the Connecticut River and its tributaries.” As a result of the increase in violent storms and flooding experienced in Vermont and New Hampshire in recent years, river restoration projects like these plantings can help reduce damage by protecting public infrastructure and personal property.
Most of the trees and shrubs were purchased from the Intervale Nursery in Burlington, VT and New England Wetland Plants with funding from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as well as funding from several of the partner organizations listed above. CRC subcontracted with Beck Pond LLC and the Northwoods Stewardship Center to help assist with the planning and implementation at the four northern most sites.
CRC is a membership based nonprofit working to protect the four state watershed of the Connecticut River from “source to sea” through on-the-ground projects, public education and advocacy. Learn more at ctriver.org.
###
