The Bucknell Arboretum and the Bucknell chapter of the Botanical Society of America are looking for volunteers to help us plant over 150 native shrubs and trees in the grove, Saturday 4/13 at 10 AM. We will meet in BIOL 104 for coffee and donuts and a short organizational meeting.
Everybody welcome. Bring your family and friends. Please sign up on this google spreadsheet:.
https://docs.google.com/a/bucknell.edu/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtW-biBbbwdLdDM4R0VXS3RMTGdiU3ExeHJ4MmhNenc#gid=0
Background: The Arboretum was established in part to enhance biodiversity and to preserve historic and significant trees on campus. One area of concern is the ‘presidential grove’, a stand of mixed hardwoods with hundreds of white oaks that are over 230 years old. These ancient trees are in decline due to many factors including invasive species, erosion and exposure of roots and loss of nutrients. An understory of native shrubs will provide many important ecological roles including stabilization of the soil, retention of nutrients, slowing the spread of invasive species as well as food and habitat for increased diversity of insects and birds.
Since 2008, student groups have each year volunteered to remove invasive species and plant native understory trees. On Saturday we will have our biggest restoration planting to date…. and we need your help.
We are planting 166 shrubs and trees as follows.
6 Chinkapin oak
30 Arrowood viburnum
25 Grey Dogwood
25 Red Osier Dogwood
20 American Cranberry
40 Black Chokeberry
20 Winterberry Holly
We hope to see you on Saturday.