It’s Raining Trees!

We underestimated you. It’s true.

We thought, look at that weather report: Rain, rain, rain, El Niño, Pineapple Express…. Most of the good-intentioned volunteer tree-planters will take one look out the window Saturday morning, say “I’m not going out in that!” and go back to sleep. But you didn’t!

More than 30 volunteers, aged 10 to over 70, donned their rain gear and met up at 9am as they promised at Bay View parking lot in the Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park.  The Kitsap Parks Dept was out in force as well, with Sierra Kross, Kevin Ceder and Irene Weber making sure there were enough shovels and buckets for all.

Way to go, all of you!!

Everyone carpooled to the target planting area, past both clearcuts and overstocked Douglas fir plantation tracts. Those who had planted trees before went right to work in teams with shovels and buckets of baby trees. Arno Bergstrom, Kitsap County Parks Forester Emeritus, gave a short tutorial to newbies on forest health and how to plant the white pine and western hemlock transplants.

In just over an hour, the bulk of approximately 1,100 trees were planted in the thinned areas up around forest road 1000 by “Forbidden Forest” trail.  Returning planters partook of hot spiced cider and homemade cookies.  Most of these little trees, which all had nice hefty root bundles, are going to survive and grow up to make a healthier, more resilient and beautiful forest and wildlife habitat.

They will probably live for hundreds of years. Think about that! Something YOU did, is going to make the earth cleaner, stronger and better for centuries! A legacy like Johnny Appleseed’s. Thank you so much!

Thanks again to Chuck Holland for his video compilation!

Next Tree-Planting is Valentine’s Day

For those who want to help, but who work on Saturdays, our next planting event will be on Wednesday, February 14. What better way to show your love for your family, fellow creatures and the earth itself, than to plant trees? Same time (9am-12pm), same place (Bay View parking lot).

And after that, the next event is on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17th. Wear green, plant green! Mark your calendars! You are creating this: