LGLFRO staff demonstrating tree planting techniques. Photo Credit: Ray Li/USFWS, 4/26/08, Amherst, NY

Kids working together to plant trees. Photo Credit: Ray Li/USFWS, 4/26/08, Amherst, NY

After planting 450 trees, two acres of wetland habitat have been improved. Photo Credit: Ray Li/USFWS, 4/26/08, Amherst, NY

Biologists Raymond Li, Bryan Young and Noelle Rayman from the Lower Great Lakes Fishery Resources Office (LGLFRO) assisted local scouts and community volunteers with tree planting at the Town of Amherst Park on Saturday, April 26, 2008.  LGLFRO staff demonstrated to scouts and volunteers how to properly plant trees and the different planting techniques required for different plant species.  They also learned the importance of using tree tubes which promote plant growth, as well as protect trees from animals, such as rabbits and deer, that may feed on the bark.  The program not only promoted working together to plant trees, but scouts learned how important trees are for the environment as they add aesthetics, as well as buffer wetland systems from nutrient runoff.  Over 60 scouts and volunteers planted a total of 450 bare root trees and seedlings to improve two acres of wetland habitat.