ISLAND POND, Vt. – The Plum Creek Foundation recently awarded a $3,350 grant to the Essex County Natural Resources Conservation District (ECNRCD) to help fund the Northern New England Native Plant Restoration Project.

 

The project aims to conserve the area’s water resources by offering affordable native plant seedlings to organizations and landowners throughout northern Vermont and New Hampshire. Native plants play a crucial role in preserving rivers, streams and lakes. According to Sarah Damsell, district manager, planting native shrubbery along the banks of water is an effective way to slow erosion and preserve the quality of water.

 

“By providing high-quality, reasonably priced native seedlings and stock to local conservation organizations, we can better preserve our natural resources,” said Damsell. “Thanks to help of Plum Creek Foundation, we can work as a community to protect the environment.”

 

Through the region’s conservation efforts, 100,000-150,000 native trees and shrubs are planted each year. In addition to preserving the area’s water resources, the native plants will stabilize stream banks, restore native plant communities, protect wildlife and prevent the spread of invasive plants.

 

The Plum Creek Foundation grant will fund the purchase of soil amendments and 4,000 transplants to take place this year. Additional Plum Creek funds will assist with maintenance, like seed collection, planting and watering, and future conservation efforts.

 

The mission of the ECNRCD is to offer resources to landowners, farmer, schools, towns and businesses through efforts with river assessments, floodplain forest/riparian restoration, agriculture, education and other community conservation projects. The ECNRCD aims to ensure environmental quality and support the integrity of land use practices in Essex County. For more information, please visit http://www.essexcountynrcd.org.

 

The mission of the Plum Creek Foundation is to provide philanthropic contributions to support and improve the general welfare of life in the communities that Plum Creek serves. The Foundation board meets quarterly to review applications submitted from organizations in the company’s operating communities. Visit the Community Involvement page on Plum Creek’s website at www.plumcreek.com to download an application.

 

8 Aug 2014