Annual creek clean-up and seedling planting events attracted large turnout
Pictured: A group of Cazenovia College and citizen volunteers prepare to plant seedlings at the Willow Patch. (Photo by Dr. Venera Jouraeva, associate professor of chemistry)
To the Editor:
(Cazenovia, NY- May 1, 2013) On a recent sunny Saturday, the Cazenovia College Environmental Club and the Cazenovia chapter of the Alpha Lambda Delta National First Year Honor Society (ALD), hosted the annual Chittenango Creek clean-up, followed by a seedling planting event, in conjunction with the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation, at the Willow Patch near Chenango Street in Cazenovia.
The turnout was tremendous for both events. The group cleaned up two pick-up-trucks-worth of trash from the creek and its surrounding banks with the help of many college students and community members. They also planted white pine seedlings at King’s Field, as well as new trees and shrubs, such as pussy willow, witch hazel, wetland rose, highbush cranberry, rugosa rose and red osier dogwood, in the Willow Patch.
The Environmental Club and ALD extend thanks to the Cazenovia College Men’s Lacrosse Team and the Cazenovia College Art Club for helping make a positive impact in Cazenovia. For the tree planting event, the group thanks Judy Gianforte, of the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation, and Thomas Mullarney, of Bartlett Tree Experts, who gave a brief lesson in planting bare-root seedlings.
Gratitude also goes to the American Chemical Society, for a grant to pay for 200 seedlings, planting bars, gloves and beverages; Earl Buyea and Douglas Green, owners of True Value Hardware Stores in Cazenovia and Manlius, respectively, for the discount on gloves; Tops General Manager Joe Rizzo, for donating donuts; and Pat Carmeli, proprietor of The Pewter Spoon in Cazenovia, for donating coffee. Thanks to their assistance, both the clean-up and planting events were successful and fun for everyone involved. The Cazenovia College groups look forward to seeing everyone again for next spring’s creek clean-up and seedling planting events.
Katherine Kugelman, equine business major