Trees for Tribs Planting with Marist College & the Village Climate Smart Communities Task Force

On May 2, 2021, about 15 volunteers, Marist Environmental Science and Policy students, Village Trustee Vanessa Bertozzi and Village Mayor Gary Bassett came together to plant over 100 trees and shrubs behind the Village Highway Garage.

The Department of Environmental Conservation provided the plants as part of their Trees for Tribs program. The students, under the guidance of their professor, Dr Richard Feldman, planned and organized the site, as part of their ongoing research into flooding along the Landsman Kill, which runs directly through municipal property at the Highway Garage. The trees, all native species selected for their affinity to water, are now a "riparian buffer"—an environmental science technique to shore up erosion, soak up excess flood waters, and provide cooling shade (great for fish and other species!).

After the 2020 planting had been postponed due to COVID, it was a thrill to get our hands dirty and working with these awesome students. The project will better manage flooding and our stream's ecosystem, and it's a wonderful thing to see these young people turn their studies into real world experiences.

A huge thank you goes out to the Village Highway & Maintenance Department staff for assisting in preparation as well!

Visit the CSC webpage about this project to learn more.