Land trust seeks volunteers to plant 100 trees

Hamptonburgh — Orange County Land Trust is in need of volunteers from throughout the county to help plant trees and shrubs at Hamptonburgh Preserve on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in celebration of National Public Lands Day. As part of the NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary “Trees for Tribs” initiative, up to 100 trees supplied by the state will be planted within the 205-acre preserve located near the intersection of Routes 208 and 416. The Wallkill River, a major tributary of the Hudson River, borders the preserve and an unnamed tributary to the Wallkill River runs through the middle of the preserve. Planting trees along streams creates buffers that are an important aspect of maintaining healthy streams and protecting water quality. These buffers - also called riparian buffers - are composed of trees, shrubs, and grasses and help reduce pollution entering waterways by slowing down and filtering stormwater runoff. Buffers also help reduce flooding and erosion by stabilizing stream banks and absorbing high velocity flows. In addition, they serve an important role for wildlife as a shoreline transition zone and travel corridor, along with increasing overall biodiversity and improving in-stream health. Environmental organizations, Boy and Girl Scout troops, municipalities, neighborhood associations, schools, and anyone interested in helping with this environmental program are invited to volunteer with the land trust.