As part of the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, Schuylkill Headwaters Association is looking for volunteers to help plant trees on Arbor Day near the Schuylkill County Joe Zerbey Airport.
Sierra Gladfelter, Schuylkill Headwaters outreach coordinator, said Thursday they will plant from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 at the Mountaintop Coal Mining Operation near the airport in Mount Pleasant.
"I think we're going to be putting in over 2,000 seedlings from the Pennsylvania Game Commission nursery, who is growing them for us," Gladfelter said.
She also said they sent out an announcement to numerous teachers, guidance counselors and principals at local high schools, and that Penn State Schuylkill is trying to organize a group to come as well.
"We have some foresters through the Ag extension office and NRCS that are going to come out and do a little orientation on how to plant the trees," Gladfelter said.
The foresters will teach techniques for preparing the soil. Volunteers are asked to arrive on time.
Gladfelter said that in the past, they used a big bar and a backhoe to make crisscrosses in the soil to create divots for the water and she thinks the foresters are experimenting with a different planting technique this year.
William Reichert, president of Schuylkill Headwaters Association, said Thursday that they are still waiting for the trees to be delivered from the Game Commission and were supposed to be delivered by April 8 or 9.
Over the years, they have planted about 8,000 trees near the airport.
"It's usually about 2,000 a year and we've done about four years up there," Reichert said.
According to a release for the event, to get there, follow Route 901 north and cross over I-81.
Shortly after, turn left on Airport Road, then look for signs for the ARRI Tree Planting on your left. Follow the dirt road back to the right of the state Department of Transportation shed and through the second yellow gate. Parking will be available at the green building. Signs will be posted.
Headwaters is asking that anyone wishing to volunteer to RSVP for the event by contacting Gladfelter at 570-573-2093 or by email at outreach@schuylkillheadwaters.org, since lunch will be provided.
