WITF Harrisburg "Woodland" Riparian Buffer Planting
October 24, 2009

Harrisburg Green Belt (Cameron & 19th Street)

We had a couple of WITF donors helping, a group of young men, some volunteers from a Greenbelt group that has been planting new trees in the Harrisburg area for years, Harrisburg Park employees, and DCNR employees. Working with me was Becca Oken, a high school senior and editorial intern for CPA. (Read Becca's article)

Becca was a excellent WITF representative, mixing with the others, asking question, taking notes, and helping with the actual work. It was a great group of folks to work with, and the planting went very smoothly. Becca seemed excited as she remarked that this day will make a good story to write. Although we did not have a camera/video available, the Special Events Director for the Harrisburg Department of Parks and Recreation took numerous photos you can see in the slide show below. DCNR's photographer was also present.

Mayor Reed came for the dedication ceremony, just in time for the hardest down-pour of the day. He and the Secretary of DCNR were very complimentary of the efforts that WITF has taken to partner with DCNR and help to improve the region's environment. Last spring WITF was presented with a plaque for efforts with the Lancaster planting. This dedication they unveiled the park signage that will be at every WITF WOODLAND and every visitor will know we are a partner with this project.

Linda Clark had arranged to bring scouts to help in the afternoon, and DCNR worked with Linda to create a schedule of work that would allow the scouts to earn merit badges. This is another community connection we'll seek to make for future plantings as well.

Finally, for everyone that wanted to participate but couldn't, there's always the WITF CARLISLE WOODLAND next spring. I remarked from the podium that it was gratifying to be working with a large group for several hours, and it was very industrious work taking place, and then within a very short time afterwards, the park was returned to a serene and peaceful setting with the only evidence that anyone had been there was the site of hundreds of newly planted trees.

If you'd like to help create another environmental area and ensure that WITF continues growing in service to Central PA, please make your financial gift today. Your contribution today will support the programs you value on WITF 89.5, help to allow WITF to be accessible to everyone in the region and plant a tree to help the environment. Please call today, you'll make a big difference,

Call 1-800-233-9483 or make your gift online here.

Your support means so much. Thank you for listening, and for supporting WITF.

Paul Zavinsky
WITF

The portion of the stream that we will be planting along runs through one of the Borough’s parks, LeTort Park. Carlisle school district owns one side of the stream while the Borough of Carlisle owns the other. Both the school and Borough are so pleased that WITF and DCNR have chosen to plant a riparian buffer along their portion of the LeTort stream!