Gunpowder Valley Conservancy to plant 570 trees at Loch Raven Reservoir this fall!

PRESS RELEASE

Contact Peggy Perry

Gunpowder Valley Conservancy

410-668-0118 or little-owl@msn.com

 

 

Gunpowder Valley Conservancy to plant 570 trees

at Loch Raven Reservoir this fall! 

 

Loch Raven Reservoir (Oct. 24, 2009) - The Gunpowder Valley Conservancy (GVC) and enthusiastic volunteers have planted over 17,000 trees in the Gunpowder Watershed since the early 1990's.  This fall the GVC and hundreds of volunteers will plant 570 trees to restore riparian and upland forest buffers on 2.75 acres directly within Loch Raven Reservoir.  "Riparian" simply means the area where land borders a body of water.  This is one of the most beneficial areas on which to plant, as the trees will help filter and clean groundwater before it enters streams, rivers, or reservoirs.  Thus, simply by   planting trees in riparian areas in Loch Raven Reservoir, volunteers help to make our drinking water cleaner.  Local wildlife benefits as well.  Planting trees along a stream or tributary to the reservoir contributes to plant diversity, improves stream bank stability, provides leaf litter on which aquatic invertebrates forage, and shades and cools the water, creating optimal habitat for aquatic life.

 

The GVC tree planting program within Loch Raven Reservoir is a 4 to 5 year project to continue these restoration efforts on over 15 acres of reservoir land.  The location of the plantings this fall will be along the Skeet and Trap Range driveway, directly within Loch Raven Reservoir and in the surrounding area in a large 10 acre field.  The planting dates are Nov. 7^th, 12^th, 13^th, and 21^st. 

 

This program is part of a partnership among the Baltimore City Reservoir Managers, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT), and Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI).   Funding for this fall's Loch Raven tree plantings have been provided by CBT.  Participating volunteers will be from:  The Baltimore County Department of Aging, Towson University Beta Alpha Psi, McDonogh Middle School, Rosedale Alternative School, and community individuals and families.  

 

All trees to be planted are native to the Chesapeake region, including; Red Oak, Willow Oak, White Oak, Burr Oak, Sycamore, Tulip Poplar, Silver Maple, Red Maple, Eastern Red Bud, Dog Wood, Green Ash, River Birch, American Elm, and Black Walnut. (Or, in a shorter version, Oak, Ash, Maple, and other riparian species.)

 

On Nov. 14^th, the GVC will also plant 150 trees at Dulaney Branch along a tributary to Loch Raven Reservoir.  The Dulaney High School Key Club and Girl Scout Troop 1112 will be providing over 80 volunteers for this planting.  And on Oct. 31^st, the GVC will be planting 75 large trees at Bee Tree Preserve with volunteers from Towson Presbyterian Church, Grace Fellowship Church, Hereford High School, Boy Scout Pack 247and Scout Troop 451, bringing the total trees planted by GVC this fall to 800 on 4 acres of land within the Gunpowder Watershed.   

 

For those who may be interested in volunteering for the tree planting events, please contact Peggy Perry, Program Director of Education and Restoration for Gunpowder Valley Conservancy at

little-owl@msn.com or 410-668-0118.  

 

 

 

 

Did You Know? 

 

Forests currently cover 2.6 million acres or approximately forty-one (41) percent of the State of Maryland. Seventy-six (76) percent of Maryland's forest land is owned by an estimated 130,600 private landowners. Federal, State and other public owners hold the remaining twenty-four (24) percent.  Landscaping, especially with trees, can increase property values as much as 20%. (Maryland Department of Natural Resources- http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/ ) 

 

One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and produces four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of eighteen people. (USDA Forest Service)

 

The Gunpowder Valley Conservancy, a non-profit organization, mobilizes people and resources to care for the lands, waters and character of the Gunpowder Watershed.  Its emphasis is on land preservation, restoration, stream cleanups and education.

 

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is a regional non-profit that builds and fosters partnerships to protect and to restore the Bay and its rivers.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust provides grant funding for on-the-ground Chesapeake Bay restoration projects throughout Maryland, reaching thousands of students, organizations and community leaders each year.  Since its inception in 1985, the Trust has awarded more than $20 million in grants, funding thousands of projects that have made a measurable impact on improving the Bay's health and restoring Maryland's most treasured natural resource.

Recreational Equipment Inc., (REI)'s giving and outreach efforts are centered on developing and supporting strong community relationships.  In 2008, REI will distribute $3.7 million to nonprofit organizations in support of local and national nonprofits that share the company's commitment to increase participation in outdoor recreation and the conservation of shared outdoor spaces.  This funding is expected to support approximately 400 nonprofits across the country, of which a majority will be youth-oriented organizations.