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April 6 is Volunteer Planting Day on the Watauga River

March 29, 2013. Have you ever wanted to learn how to protect our rivers and streams?  If so, come on out to the Watauga River Gorge Park on Saturday, April 6th from  10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a river bank planting day.  

Participants will learn which plant species work best near High Country streams and rivers while we plant the Watauga river bank with native livestakes.  If you would rather pick up litter, we’ll be having a litter clean up as well.  

images-1Participants should plan to meet at the New Watauga River Gorge canoe access park on the corner of Old Watauga River Rd and Hwy 321, Sugar Grove. Carpooling is highly encouraged.

Participants are also encouraged to come prepared by wearing layers, bringing a snack or lunch and a drink, wearing rubber boots or waterproof shoes and if you don’t have them you are welcome to stay on the river bank and stay dry. Be prepared for any kind of weather!

For the litter clean up, trash bags, gloves and trash picker-uppers will be provided. For the planting, live stakes, native plant containers, shovels, mallets and gloves will be oh hand. If you have any of these materials and don’t mind bringing them, extra supplies are always appreciated.  

Why are we doing this? The floods, winter winds, and people littering has left a lot of trash on the riverbank. It is much easier to clean when the vegetation has not come out yet and the riverbank at the new Watauga River Gorge Park is in need of some native vegetation.  

The river needs more shrubs and trees planted on its banks so the roots will grow and protect it from eroding.  The trees will also provide shade in the future to keep the water cool for our trout!  

 

Please RSVP to Wendy Patoprsty at 828-264-3061 or email Wendy_Patoprsty@ncsu.edu so there are adequate supplies.