Volunteers planted trees along a tributary to the Wallkill River on May 19, beautifying a portion of the stream and providing erosion control.

Three New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) representatives and 17 students and adults planted 70 native shrubs and small trees on Farmer’s Turnpike near Sandhill Road.

Climate Smart Gardiner member Rebecca Carucci said the event was designed for the Climate Smart Gardiner Youth Task Force so the students could learn more about keeping the Wallkill River healthy. The event was also a follow-up to the Riverkeeper Sweep, which took place earlier this month.

The event was made possible by the Hudson River Estuary program’s “Trees for Tribs”, an initiative of the DEC. The grant offers native trees and shrubs, assists with the plant selection, creates a planting plan, provides site preparation and offers technical information.

Carucci applied for the grant. The DEC, Town Supervisor Marybeth Majestic and Carucci selected this location along the tributary for its need for beautification and erosion control.

“The shrubs will provide a buffer to improve stream health and water quality by preventing soil erosion, helping to absorb flood waters, shading the stream to keep water temperatures down, and helping with pollution run-off from cars and salt trucks,” Carucci said.

The Gardiner Climate Smart Youth Task Force will continue to maintain the area by maintaining tubes and mats, weeding, watering and removing live stakes.