In keeping with their push to restore riparian buffers throughout Western North Carolina that was impacted by Hurricane Helene, Trout Unlimited recently purchased 800 trees for four partner organizations; the New River Conservancy, Keep Ashe Beautiful, Watauga Soil and Water Conservation District, and Mountain True. Trout Unlimited is an incredible conservation partner as they also work to recover rivers and streams and the trout that call them home, and have a base of volunteers that work towards that.
These trees were delivered last month and included species such as American sycamore, blackgum, white oak, persimmon, Carolina silverbell, red maple, river birch, American hornbeam, and tulip poplar. A riparian buffer is quite literally a buffer of trees, shrubs, and grasses on the edge of streams, lakes, and wetlands that filter run off pollution and sediment. Among other things, riparian buffers reduce erosion and stabilize banks, as well as provide shade over rivers which reduces the temperature of the water.
Of the upcoming plantings in the watershed, Joe Johnson, New River Conservancy Director of Operations and Projects says “By planting trees along the river we make the river more resilient for the next big flood. The New River Conservancy and our partners learned hard lessons and will continue to work to ensure the New River and its tributaries are prepared for future flood events.”
Upon delivery, a team effort among the partners involved including Boone Sustainability, unloaded and then distributed the young trees to various locations in Ashe County. New River Conservancy will plant their 400 trees at Green Valley Park, Hardin Creek, and throughout the New River watershed.
The New River Conservancy organization has worked every day since the early 1970’s to protect the woods, waters and wildlife of the iconic New River and its watershed. NRC is a 501©3 nonprofit. Donations are welcome and tax deductible. For more information, please visit their website or any of their social media pages.
Photo: Will Sowards, NRC Clean Up Coordinator, and John Pence, Executive Director of Keep Ashe Beautiful, unload trees for future restoration projects.
