Townships
riparian buffer planting project
Girl Scouts Plant For the Future
An Amazing Day of Giving Back to the Earth by Planting One Tree at a Time
In honor of Earth Day, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, Coventry Service Unit joined members from the Green Valleys Association at the Beaver Farm in Kimberton and at the Griffith Farm in West Vincent to plant over 1000 trees on Saturday. Armed with shovels and trowels, approximately 150 volunteers set forth to restore riparian buffer plantings on a tributary to French Creek and the headwaters of the Birch Run, both exceptional value streams. The native seedlings planted will grow to protect the environment, provide cleaner water, prevent erosion, and serve as food and shelter for animals in the area.
Girls as young as six years old got their hands dirty planting 13 different types of trees purchased from Octoraro Native Plant Nursery. Funding for the conservation project came from Green Valleys Association, West Vincent Land Trust, French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, plus a few private donors. Everyone agreed they would love to return to the sites to see the trees and shrubs once they are fully grown.
GVA Executive Director, Victoria Laubach was first approached by a Girl Scout leader and two members of her troop, with the idea for this project. Katelyn, age 11 said to her, “Look, we’re tired of people talking at us, we want to do something.” After presenting the idea to the West Vincent Township Board of Supervisors, plans were set in motion; girls, leaders and parents signed up to donate their time. Before the digging began, landscape architect and environmental educator, Margot Taylor and John Hoekstra, Watershed Advocacy Director for GVA gave everyone a lesson in the importance of trees and giving Mother Nature a helping hand. Hoekstra told the girls, “A thing as simple as a tree can make a tremendous difference.”Beginning at 9 AM, the scouts carried their trees and clambered down the muddy hill to begin planting. Brightly colored flags waving above the tall grass indicating where the trees should be placed in the ground. “Its hard work but saving the planet is worth it,” said scout Tyler, age ten.
The owners of Beaver Farm, Guy and Anni Alma run a program for students with special needs, part of Camphill Special Schools. The program is land-based; the residents learn about farming and take care of the animals on the property. Construction for another residential home is underway, and the children living there will be able to see the new trees grow and beautify the landscape where they spend their time. At one o'clock that afternoon the planting picked up at West Vincent Township’s Griffith Farm, permanently preserved open space. Nearly 700 trees were planted in just over three hours. Board of Supervisor member Clare Quinn stopped out to observe the action and expressed her appreciation of all the work the girls were doing. By the time the girls left, the brightly colored flags had been replaced with native trees and shrubs protected with tree tubes and nets. Parents present at the planting agreed that this project will make a huge difference, educating the public and promoting natural awareness. Following the Girl Scout law to “use resources wisely and make the world a better place” these girls truly understand the meaning of their vow. Before leaving, one last scout had this to say, “Earth Day is only once a year but we can make it every day, it’s up to the people.”
Written by MaryGrace Keller
Photos by Jenna Jakielaszek
