Planting Trees Parties
"BRANCHING OUT FOR WILDLIFE" SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
MARCH 16th through 23rd, 2013
The Florida Scrub-Jay Consortium is proud to partner with National Wildlife Federation and the "Branching Out for Wildlife" Program.
This program will result in the planting of 75,000 trees across America as a part of National Wildlife Week beginning March 16 through March 23, 2013- creating wildlife habitat and contributing towards NWF's goal of reconnecting 10 million kids with nature in the next three years.
More than 100 events are already being planned across the country including several in the New York metro and New Jersey areas in an effort to restore wildlife habitat destroyed by Superstorm Sandy last year.
Saturday, March 16, kicks off the tree planting party from 9am-11am at the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail in Clermont by students, scouts, parents and families, expanding the habitat for the threatened Florida Scrub-Jay, gopher tortoises and other wildlife. Over 600 trees will be planted to benefit the over 100 species of birds have been sited on the Trail, as well as bobcats, fox, snakes, raccoons, possums, Sherman's fox squirrels and more who depend on the canopy of trees for the food, water, shelter and places to raise their young.
Tree planting parties will take place every day during this week. No group is too small to participate…. so get out your calendar and pick a day, then call us or e-mail to find out what time slots are available. Finally, register for the time slot that meets your schedule. It's that easy!
To register your group or family call Bruce Brown
at (352)-429-5566 or email info@scrubjaytrail.org
March 16: 9:00am-11:00am
March 17: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Special Guest on March 23, 2013
THE LIFE AND STATUS OF THE FLORIDA SCRUB-JAY
Presented by Michelle Dent Saturday, March 23, 2013 at The Florida Scrub-Jay Trail in Clermont, from 8am-9am. Join research assistant Michelle Dent of Archbold Biological Station as she takes us on a visual tour of "The Life and Status of the Florida Scrub-Jay". With her Masters in Conservation Biology from Antioch New England, Ms. Dent has spent the past 14 years working towards increasing the Florida scrub-jay population at Avon Park Air Force Range and has been an advocate for scrub-jays throughout the state.
TREE PLANTING PARTY
Following the presentation from 9am-11am you can help make a difference when you dig in and celebrate National Wildlife Federations 75th Annual National Wildlife Week. Leave your mark on the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail when you help plant scrub oaks and watch your tree grow over the next few years as it offers food, cover and places to raise young wildlife. Hundreds of scrub-oaks will be planted and no one is too young or too old for this restoration effort.
Plenty of games and prizes will be awarded during the planting time.
Celebrating its 75th year, National Wildlife Week is NWF's longest-running education program designed around teaching and connecting kids to the awesome wonders of nature. Come on out and celebrate how trees affect our day to day lives!
"Children love learning about wildlife and their habitat. National Wildlife Week will inspire educators and caregivers to take their kids outdoors to explore the natural world, plant trees, and learn the important ways trees contribute to a healthy environment," said Kevin Coyle, VP of Education and Training for the National Wildlife Federation.
School and youth groups can apply to host a tree planting with NWF which will provide native trees adapted to the local climate. The National Wildlife Week website provides a guide to help organize an event by giving step-by-step instructions to ensure that the planted trees grow and thrive.
NWF's goal is to plant 75,000 trees to mark the 75th anniversary of National Wildlife Week.
These are just a few of the facts children will learn about trees:
•	Trees clean the air by absorbing odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone). In one year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the amount of CO2 produced when you drive your car 26,000 miles
•	Trees save water – Shade from trees slows water evaporation. Most newly planted trees need only fifteen gallons of water a week.
•	Trees shield children from ultra-violet rays – Trees reduce UV-B exposure by about 50 percent which is why they can benefit schoolyards and playgrounds. Trees also provide shade for wildlife to escape the sun's hot rays while protecting them from wild and other harsh weather conditions.
•	Trees provide a canopy and habitat for wildlife – sycamore and oak trees are among the many urban species that provide excellent homes for birds, bees, possums and squirrels.
Kids will be encouraged to take what they have learned into the field where they can check out the trees where they live and the wildlife that call those trees home. NWF's Wildlife Watch can help identify different tree and wildlife species so kids can share what they have observed on the Wildlife Watch website.
National Wildlife Week is NWF's longest running education program designed to teach kids about the wonders of nature and inspire their interest in spending more time outside. As today's indoor childhood becomes more of a reality, National Wildlife Week also plays a key role in NWF's three year goal of getting 10 million more kids outdoors on a more regular basis.
National Wildlife Federation is America's largest conservation organization inspiring people to protect wildlife for our children's future. NWF focuses its education and policy work on connecting children to nature for a nation of happier, healthier kids.