Volunteers needed to help establish a mini-forest

The Town of Purcellville and the Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee are looking for volunteers to help establish a mini-forest on Town property located at S. 20 th  Street. This project is funded in part through the Virginia Trees for Clean Water grant program, issued by the Virginia Department of Forestry. 

Volunteer efforts include prepping the area, spreading compost; removing invasive plants; marking Tree of Heaven – which is a preferred host plant for the spotted lanternfly and brown marmorated stink bug, which are both pests of many crops and forest plants. Help is needed installing fencing, planting trees, shrubs and perennials, and watering and monitoring the plants once they are in the ground.

The volunteer days and times are below.

• May 4, 10 a.m. to noon – Learn about the project and band Tree of Heaven
• June 1, 10 a.m. to noon—Identify wildlife in the area and remove the bands on Tree of Heaven
• Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to noon—Identify wildlife in the area and install fence posts
• Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – planting day
• Oct. 6, 2 to 5 p.m. – Install temporary fence
• Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to noon – Watering, checking fence and stakes
• Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to noon – Watering, checking fence and stakes
• Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to noon – Watering, checking fence and stakes

The project will transform a field into a species-rich native forest to strengthen the health of the ecosystem and encourage environmental education, recreation, and stewardship among residents, students, scouts, and community groups.

 
For more information about the project or to sign up to volunteer, please visit the Town of Purcellville’s Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee page: https://purcellvilleva.gov/tree-and-environment-sustainability-committee.