Tree Reforestation in Gaithersburg, Meeting Set for Tonight
UPDATED Gaithersburg officials are holding a community meeting tonight to get feedback from residents about plans for an upcoming reforestation project.
Public Works Operations Administrator Adam Newhart said tonight’s meeting will focus on the plantings of 25 trees in Little Quarry Park in the Kentlands community and 40 trees in the Quince Orchard Park community.
“We like to get everybody’s input,” Newhart said. “We will show them the planting map and if anyone has objections, we take that into account before finalizing our plans.”
According to Newhart, the reforestation project for both communities will include a mix of seven native trees, including Pin Oak, Kwanzan Cherry, White Oak, Red Maple, Redbud, Dogwood, and Willow Oak. He said the trees selected for this project will be two to two-and-a-half inches in caliber and between seven and ten feet in height.
The trees in Quince Orchard Park are scheduled to be planted on top of the hill along Orchard Ridge Drive to add to the canopy of trees on the city property across from MedImmune. The tentative planting date for these trees is the week of September 24.
According to Newhart, the entire reforestation project is part of an initiative funded by a $114,000 grant from the Governor’s Stream Restoration Challenge awarded to the City and the Audubon Naturalist Society. He said plantings actually began in other locations last fall and spring. The funds are being used to plant five acres of trees or 655 trees along the Muddy Branch watershed to improve water quality. Newhart said the project also serves as a teaching tool to engage students as they participate in the community tree plantings. For example, he said students from Gaithersburg High School are helping to plant the trees and they are receiving community service hours for their work. He said city staff will dig the holes for the trees and the student volunteers will then help plant the trees.
Tonight’s meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Robertson Park Youth Center, 801 Rabbit Road.
A second meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10 at 7 p.m. where officials and residents will review the planting of 10 trees at Bohrer Park, 105 trees at Morris Park, and 15 trees at the Morris Park extension. That meeting will be held at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park at 506 South Frederick Avenue.
For more information, you can contact the Gaithersburg Department of Public Works at 301.258.6370.
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