| 01/20/2003 |
| Search on for businesses and volunteers to help with plantings |
| By Kimberly Long , Staff Writer
|
kim_l@newsitem.com
SHAMOKIN In the spring, Dave Kaleta will be doing his third seedling planting outside of Excelsior to reclaim mined land.
One thing different this year from the last two is that Kaleta has to purchase items to plant the trees. Previously the trees, all he needed, were given to him. The seedlings will again be free, but Kaleta was advised to purchase tree shelters to keep rodents away from the saplings.
Crabapple, hawthorn, dogwood, sawtooth oak and pine trees will be planted.
To foot the bill, Kaleta is asking businesses to sponsor the event by donating $100 each. In return, the business will have its name placed on the back of T-shirts, which will be sold. Habitat for Wildlife will be silk-screened on the front along with the images of a deer, turkey and ruffed grouse.
He has sent out some letters to businesses and plans to send more.
We're going to need a lot of help, he said.
Kaleta said the tree shelters, plastic tubes that surround the seedlings cost about 43 cents each. The shelters will protect the thousands of seedlings, costing between $1,500 and $2,000.
Kaleta said about 100 shirts will be printed and sold for a small amount above the cost.
Kaleta said the previous plantings were not successful due to rodents such as mice eating the seedlings. He said there are thousands of mice in the field where the plantings occur. He said the mice do not have much to eat in the field except the entire seedlings.
Based on the recommendation of a forester, Kaleta decided to purchase the shelters. He also plans to buy posts for hawks to sit on and watch for prey.
Kaleta is hoping volunteers are willing to help with the planting. All ages are welcome. | |