Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast invites the community to make a difference that will last forever! Marking the conclusion of their 20th Anniversary year, Conservation Foundation’s campaign to plant 20,000 trees in celebration of 20 years of service will culminate with two events at their 432-acre Myakka Headwaters Preserve. The events will take place the mornings of Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26. All required supplies will be provided along with a complimentary picnic lunch.
With the help of dedicated volunteers and community partners, the not-for-profit land trust already planted over 10,000 trees here in Southwest Florida. Made possible with funding from the Arbor Day Foundation and the Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation (PCGLC), the current number reflects a tremendous increase over Conservation Foundation’s prior yearly plantings and denotes an incredible increase in capacity resulting from significant investments made by both the organization and their partners.
“The impact of planting trees extends far beyond the numbers,” comments Lee Amos, Conservation Foundation’s land stewardship manager. “Tree planting is a catalyst for growth and change. Through this initiative, we deepened our connections to our conservation community and increased our capacity for tree planting from the ground up. We are thankful to the Arbor Day Foundation and PGCLC for their investment in our community, our region, and our world!”
Planting trees helps combat climate change, cools the environment, supports biodiversity, improves soil health, and provides a variety of economic and social benefits. When planted along river shorelines – as the majority of the trees planted through this campaign were – the roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion. The trees also shade the water, cooling its overall temperature. Cooler water temperatures are more conducive to the health of aquatic natural communities because they can support a greater diversity of plants and animals, and the risk of harmful algal blooms is reduced. Planting trees along shorelines also increases habitat diversity, providing food and shelter to a broad range of animals both in and out of the water. Different species play different roles in the natural processes that influence water quality, and diversity is crucial for maintaining a balanced, healthy ecosystem. Healthy ecosystems with a variety of plants and animals are more productive, more resilient, and better able to withstand environmental stresses.
Over the past 18 months, Conservation Foundation acquired the necessary tools, trained staff and volunteers, and practiced and improved their procedures and logistics to leverage available resources and increase their impact. Pop ash, longleaf pine, and nine other Florida native tree species were planted within local four nature preserves, including Conservation Foundation’s Myakka Headwaters Preserve, Upper Myakka Preserve, and Pine Island Preserve, as well as Manatee County’s Duette Preserve. Conservation Foundation notes Manatee County was a significant partner in the initiative and thanks them for planting thousands of trees in Duette Preserve.
Conservation Foundation aspires to further increase its pace and capacity over the next several years, resulting in a significant impact on water quality, wildlife habitat, and climate resiliency. For more information about the upcoming volunteer planting events or to sign up, visit conservationfoundation.com/volunteer.
