Are you interested in planting trees on your property? Do you want to enhance habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects, and help fight climate change? Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is looking for interested landowners who want to establish 1 acre tree and shrub plantings that will provide long-term forested pollinator habitat. Reforestation is an important strategy for mitigating climate change. As trees grow they remove carbon dioxide from the air. Carbon is stored in the trees and soil, and oxygen is released into the atmosphere. By selecting plant species with varying bloom cycles, we can enhance habitat at the same time.
Participants selected for this program will receive SWCD technical and planning assistance, free planting stock and associated tree shelters, stakes and weed mats to establish forested pollinator habitat. Landowners will be responsible for preparing the sites, planting stems and installing necessary tree shelters and weed mats where required. Planting materials will be provided mid to late April, and planting must be completed no later than May 15th, 2022. Participants must also agree to a 10-year operation and maintenance agreement to improve plant survivability and reduce long-term site mortality.
The deadline to sign-up for this program is March 23, 2022. Interested participants should contact SWCD at 607-756-5991 or via email at stacy.russell@cortlandswcd.org to sign-up. Funding is limited; projects will be supported on a first come, first serve basis, pending site visit and compatibility with program requirements.
