August 2, 2024
Monday was spent planting trees at various locations in our different watersheds. We plant native species in areas that are suited to their characteristics as a way to increase the habitat and biodiversity present in our ecosystems. We also visited our parks to tidy up and address maintenance concerns that we don’t on our usual biweekly rounds. We invite you all to visit these parks–they are good places to fish or hang out–and remind you to leave no trace.
Tuesday and Thursday were both spent in the stream. We continued to work on the West Branch of the Westmoreland River, and are glad to be moving forward with the main body of our summer work.
However, Wednesday provided a change of pace; we headed out to help Kensington North Watersheds Association with a living shoreline project. To continue our groove from Monday, we spent the entire day planting trees and shrubs in an effort to stabilize the bank from the top. The other aspect of the project was to stake logs into the beach in order to collect sand and silt and elongate the slope of the bank so that plants may be able to establish. We were glad to be able to help out our fellow watershed association and learn a bit more about what goes into designing a living shoreline project.
Friday was spent doing park maintenance at Westmoreland River Nature Park, so check out some freshly mown paths if you are heading by. The rest of the crew spent the morning learning some new wetlands survey protocol from Shayla and the Trout River Environmental Committee. It should be a help with all of the salt marsh work that we have been doing this summer and we are grateful to them for taking the time to help us out!
This week brings us even closer to our annual Swim for the South Shore! You might start to see posters popping up around town. There is still time to register (link below) so tell your friends and loved ones; we would love to see you there!
https://raceroster.com/events/2024/91974/swim-for-the-south-shore-2024
Love, SSWA
