Spruce Forest Restoration
September 30, 2006
Spruce Knob Mountain, Pendleton County, WV
ACT member, American Forests, is partnering with The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia to help plant 3,000 Red spruce on Spruce Mountain, the highest point in West Virginia.
Red spruce once covered all the highest elevation mountains in West Virginia but past land uses have reduced this unique forest community to a small fraction of its historical range. Plantings will help increase habitat for endangered flying squirrel, a threatened salamander and dramatically improve spruce regeneration in the area. The Nature Conservancy WV is looking for volunteers to help with the planting!
Date and Time: Saturday September 30, 9:30 am (planting may be extended into Sunday)
We need a BIG crew to work on this American Forests Global Releaf project to help restore red spruce on West Virginia's Spruce Knob Mountain. Help us plant 3,000 seedlings - we'll use planting bars to open up holes big enough for these 2-yar old seedling plugs grown in Canada from locally collected spruce seeds.
Logistics: Meet at 9:30 am at the 'Earth Shelter' offices of The Mountain Institute (a project partner) and proceed to the tree planting site on neighboring property. The Earth Shelter is near the entrance of The Mountain Institute property. Stop in the parking lot at the beginning of the driveway and walk down the right-hand lane to reach the Earth Shelter. For directions email Ethan Kearns or visit the Mountain Institute.
Tent camping in mown fields adjacent to the Earth Shelter is available Friday and Saturday nights. Toilets, sinks and potable water are available at the Shelter; but plan to bring and prepare your own meals at this remote and beautiful location-one of best star-gazing spots on East Coast! You'll be free to hike around The Mountain Institute and the project property; plus, there are beautiful and interesting places on the adjacent Monongahela National Forest to explore too. If you plan to camp Friday night please arrive after noon on that day; contact us for more details.
Things to bring for work day:
Lunch, snacks
Drinks, Water
Work gloves
Hiking or work boots
Warm clothes-we'll be at high elevation
Rain gear-for wind break too
Day pack to carry your gear
Camera
Binoculars
Friends!
If you plan to attend, please contact:
Ethan Kearns
Program Coordinator
American Forests
202-737-1944, x224
