This article was originally published on VTDigger.org on April 26, 2013. View the original article here.

There will be two tree plantings in Vermont, funded in part by the Clear Water Carbon Fund (http://www.clearwatercarbonfund.org/), a nonprofit program that enables people and businesses to ‘purchase’ trees for planting in their local watersheds to offset the carbon emissions associated with commuting, conferences, weddings, vacations and other activities.

The first planting will take place on Stony Brook, a tributary of the White River located in Stockbridge, Vermont. The White River Partnership will lead local school children to reforest one acre of functioning flood plain with native tree species. Stony Brook is an important spawning stream for wild rainbow trout, native brook trout, and Atlantic salmon.

The second planting will be organized by NorthWoods Stewardship Center on the Pherrins River in Brighton, Vermont. The Pherrins River flows into the Clyde River, which feeds Lake Memphremagog, an international water body that has had problems with phosphorus and sediment build-up.

Reforested stream and riverbanks reduce carbon in the atmosphere while also protecting water quality and providing wildlife habitat. The Clear Water Carbon Fund is operated by the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences. These projects have received support from the Northern Forest Center, through the Northern Forest Investment Zone initiative as well as the Audobon Toyota TogetherGreen Leadership Program.

First Planting Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Location: 630 Stony Brook Road, Stockbridge VT

Directions: From I-89 exit 3, head west on VT Rte 107 for 9.5 miles. Turn Left onto Stony Brook Rd. Planting location is located on the right just past the first bridge on Stony Brook Rd.

Weather: This event takes place rain or shine.

On-site contacts: Laury Saligman, Clear Water Carbon Fund: (802) 505-0582; laurysaligman@yahoo.com
Greg Russ, Project Manager for White River Partnership, (802) 763-7733; greg@whiteriverpartnership.org

Second Planting Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Location: Just south of Stevens Flat Road, Brighton, VT 05846.

Directions: From Island Pond, head north on Rt. 114/ Railroad St. for about 2.4 miles. Take slight right onto Stevens Loop. (If you reach intersection with Rt. 111, you missed the turn.) Property entrance is unpaved access road on right, just past trailer on right. Conditions may require walking to planting site rather than using the access road. Google map directions from Island Pond.

Weather: This event takes place rain or shine.

For more information: Laury Saligman, Clear Water Carbon Fund: 802-505-0582; laurysaligman@yahoo.com
Kelsey Evans, Tree Planting Coordinator for NorthWoods Stewardship Center,
802-723-6551, ext. 113; Kelsey@northwoodscenter.org