Students listen carefully as the receive instructions for proper tree planting. Photo Credit: USFWS

Students put the finishing touches on their new tree planting. Photo Credit: USFWS

Students admire their accomplishment while wondering how big this tree will get. Photo Credit: USFWS

Biologists Raymond Li, Noelle Rayman and Chris Castiglione from the Lower Great Lakes Fishery Resources Office partnered with the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper and Re-Tree WNY to plant native trees and shrubs in Seneca Bluffs and Bailey Peninsula parks on May 6, 2008.  Seneca Bluffs and Bailey Peninsula Parks are 15 acre and 3 acre passive recreation parks, respectively, along the Buffalo River Area of Concern (AOC) within the City of Buffalo, NY. These sites contain habitats unique to the urbanized reaches of the lower Buffalo River including significant riverine backwaters, emergent wetlands, and floodplain forests.  The site is largely dominated by Japanese knotweed - an invasive plant that out-competes native plants to create dense monocultures unsuitable for wildlife. Sixty bare-rooted trees and 110 shrubs were planted to control the distribution of Japanese knotweed, enhance 10.3 acres of wetland floodplain and riparian habitat, and improve water quality.  Plantings were conducted by 70 volunteers from South Park High School, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Riverwatch Program, and Erie County Service Action Corps.