Elementary Students Plant Trees on Grand Forks Grasslands
Emily Rooke, a student at Perley Elementary, carefully plants a yellow pine tree donated by Interfor on the Southern Interior Land Trust’s grasslands property at the end of Morissey Creek Road, on Earth Day.
In an Earth Day event coordinated by Jamie Hibberson and Randy Waterous of Interfor, students from Sarah Mace’s class from Perley Elementary School in Grand Forks have planted nearly 300 yellow pine seedlings in disturbed, damp parts of the Southern Interior Land Trust’s property.
It was inspiring to watch these young people nurture the little trees they were given by Jamie and Randy, who also explained how to plant them so they would survive,commented Judie Steeves, president of SILT.
It was a beautiful day and great to watch them roam over the greening-up hills, digging a hole and placing the little tree in it. Most said they planned to return over the years to find their trees and see how they grow up, which will be really neat.
The tree planting took place on the Grand Forks Grasslands at the end of Morissey Creek Road, in galleys and drainages, where in some instances, damage had occurred from motorized vehicles illegally being driven into the freshly-sprouting grasses and wildflowers.
The grade six and seven students learned about the importance of conservation of such wild lands, and of restoration where damage has occurred from human activity; the importance of protecting the natural features that make suitable habitat for deer, bighorn sheep, badgers, birds, snakes and other creatures, as well as the plants they rely on for food or shelter.
Nearly 300 trees were planted Friday.
The grade six and seven students learned about the importance of conservation of such wild lands, and of restoration where damage has occurred from human activity; the importance of protecting the natural features that make suitable habitat for deer, bighorn sheep, badgers, birds, snakes and other creatures, as well as the plants they rely on for food or shelter.
Nearly 300 trees were planted Friday.
Photos by Judie Steeves
Help Protect Grand Forks Grassland!
SILT has an agreement to purchase 109 hectares (270 acres) of rare grassland habitat near Grand Forks. We need to raise $117,000 this month! Please help create another lasting legacy for wildlife. Click here to DONATE. Every dollar matters! Donations are tax deductible.
DL 492 is open, rolling hills of bunchgrass interspersed with patches of trembling aspen-rose thickets. The property is year-round habitat for a healthy herd of 200-300 California bighorn sheep. Rams and ewes of all ages use the land. It is also excellent winter and spring range for mule deer and white-tailed deer. Several species-at-risk occur, including rattlesnake, gophersnake, spadefoot toad, tiger salamander and badger.
The Grand Forks (Gilpin) sheep herd has provided decades of first-class hunting and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Your donation will help ensure that undeveloped, productive habitat is protected forever. SILT welcomes and encourages non-mechanized public access for wildlife- and nature-related recreation on all its conservation properties. DONATE HERE
Email questions or comments to: office@siltrust.ca