Conservation District Plant Sale
Superstorm Sandy was devastating to Long Island. Island-wide, thousands of trees were blown down or severely damaged. Trees native to our area, especially oaks, maples and conifers, were the hardest hit trees, since they are also the most prolific. Many open areas lost trees that will have to be replanted.
The trees that are replanted should be ones that will withstand storms, and should be planted well away from power lines, and are native to this area.
A healthy tree canopy is very important to the ecological health of a watershed. As noted in Friends of the Bay’s Watershed Action Plan, “Forest cover provides numerous benefits at both the site and watershed scales. In addition to providing habit for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, watershed forest cover also reduces storm water runoff and flooding, improves regional air quality, reduces stream and channel erosion, improves soil and water quality, and reduces summer air and water temperatures. “
The Nassau County Conservation District has organized a tree sale to help homeowners purchase trees to do replanting. Seventeen different types of native trees and shrubs are being offered for sale. Species include Eastern White Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce, Sawtooth Oak, Sugar Maple, White Flowering Dogwood, Nannyberry, Highbush Blueberry and Butterfly Bush. The plants are seedlings or transplants, up to 24 inches in height, and are sold in bundles of ten, with prices ranging from $12 to $25 per bundle, which makes them very affordable.
A complete list, descriptions and an order form can be found on the Conservation District’s website (www.nassauswcd.org). Orders can be submitted until March 10. Plants will be available for pickup on April 19 and 20. The District offices are located at 5 Old Jericho Tpke, Jericho.
By planting trees and shrubs, you will helping to protect the health of our harbors and bays!
Friends of the Bay’s water quality monitoring season ended on October 22. Water quality data collected by our citizen scientists is posted on the Friends of the Bay website at http:// friendsofthebay.org/?page_ id=1151. The season will resume on April 1, 2013.
