Saw Mill River Coalition: Free A Tree Day

Website: http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001-uqe82qIMgm_oUox_-ayT5g8...

9:30am-12:30pm

Want to help out but don't have enough time to volunteer? Consider making a donation. Every amount, large or small, helps a lot.
Contact Us!

Email or call Emily Eder, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at (914) 375-2151.
The weather has taken a turn for the better since last weekend and it looks like it will actually be warm this Saturday!

Our trees, along with the ecosystems that depend on them have suffered a huge blow after the storm. A fallen or broken tree covered with invasive vines is not a rare sight... Let's get back to work removing invasives and saving those trees that did survive!

Please RSVP if you are going to be able to attend. Hope to see you there!

Future Vine-cutting Dates are as follows (same time, same place-different days-scroll down for location information):
Saturday, March 20th
Sunday, April 11th
Rain Date: Sunday, April 18th

Please feel free to contact us if you wish to be removed from this list. If you would like to remain informed about other Groundwork programs, please make a note of it. Send a quick e-mail to emily@groundworkhv.org

Thanks very much. We Hope to make the 2010 vine cutting season a good one. The more the merrier! There is a lot of work to be done.
Directions & Information
Free-A-Tree!
Saturday, March, 20TH
Farragut Avenue Site, Meet on trail North of parking lot
Exit 13 (Farragut Avenue),
off Saw Mill River Parkway (going North)
9:30 am - 12:30 pm

From Saw Mill River Parkway going NORTH, exit 13, Farragut Avenue. Turn right into parking lot.

From Saw Mill River Parkway going SOUTH, exit 11, Tompkins Avenue-go left to Saw Mill River Road, turn left. Go to Farragut Avenue and turn left, then turn left into the parking lot. Access also from Saw Mill River Road (Ardsley side).

We will meet on the South County Trail north of the parking lot. Refreshments will be provided. We will supply all of the materials and tools necessary, but if you have your own tools feel free to being them. Please wear close-toed shoes!
Background
Invasive vines are killing the trees that protect the river's banks. These plant species were brought into our watershed where they have no natural predators. Oriental bittersweet and porcelainberry, the two most common invaders, crowd out native plants, steal their water, and slowly strangle trees, eventually creating canopies that block the sun from trees and under-story plants. This significantly diminishes the value of wildlife habitat, in terms of food sources and nesting areas, and has a negative impact upon the number of species that can use the river corridor.

The Saw Mill River Coalition and the New York State Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation have been working together since 2005 on the Free-A-Tree project, which organizes and supports volunteers in their efforts to remove the invasive vines, rescue native vegetation, restore the stream buffer, and preserve the area's biodiversity.

In the past couple of years the Saw Mill River Coalition and its partners have planted over 250 native trees and shrubs. By protecting these and other native plants we can work to restore the habitat.

Garbage is also crowding out wildlife. We'll provide garbage bags, gloves, and vine-cutting tools as well as protective gear if needed, but bring your own vine-cutting tools and gloves if you've got them! Wear warm clothes, long sleeve shirts and sturdy shoes (no flip flops). Children under age 16 require adult supervision. Community Service credits available for high school students.