The following is a republished press release … to submit community announcements to The Voice, contact us at jstein@ithacavoice.com
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The 21st Century Library Campaign — Tompkins County Public Library
Ithaca, NY. — In the spirit of promoting renewable energy, Ehrhart Energy has donated 500 native trees to the Stewart Park Revitalization Project, part of an effort to replace invasive plants — privet, honeysuckle, and barberry — which are choking out native species in the park’s Renwick Wildwood. The project kicks off Saturday, May 9th, at 3:00 p.m. on the bridge spanning Fall Creek, near the Fuertes Natural Area.
Led by Miguel Berrios, Audubon Fellow, a local conservationist and landscape designer, volunteers will gather, and will work on cutting and removing the invasive species. Ehrhart Energy and the Trumansburg Rotary Club have teamed up to provide barbecued-chicken dinners to volunteers. More volunteers are welcome and needed; bring gloves if you can, and wear long sleeves and long pants. Tools will be provided.
According to Ehrhart General Manager Bill Overbaugh, Ehrhart Energy, which has recently begun making bulk deliveries of wood pellets for home heating, was searching for a project that would benefit the community while drawing attention to the renewability of this reasonably priced home heating method. Ehrhart has teamed up with the Friends of Stewart Park, Toyota TogetherGreen, the Ithaca City Forester, New Leaf Environmental, LBS Ecological Design, Forest Program Manager Audubon NY, Plantsmen Nursery, Chemung Valley Audubon, Cayuga Bird Club, Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County in this renewal effort.
This summer and fall, invasive species removal will continue, eventually followed by planting of native trees to rehabilitate this important and beautiful watershed area. For more information on the rehab schedule, please visit www.facebook.com/RevitalizingStewartPark.