Teachers, students and parents of the Bedford Central School District celebrated Arbor Day to the fullest over the weekend at Mt. Kisco’s Leonard Park.  Thanks to the Mt. Kisco Conservation Advisory Council (CAC), in collaboration with the Teatown Environmental Leaders Learning Alliance (ELLA) Stream Conservation initiative, the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC), and the Hudson River Estuary Program (HREP) of the New York State DEC, one-hundred fourteen varied, native trees and shrubs were planted on Saturday April 30th in Leonard Park near Wallace Pond by twenty five Fox Lane Middle School teachers, students and parents.  For now many of the trees will be difficult to see, because they are covered by protective tubes that aim to prevent deer browsing; however, in time, they will help to shade the pond, assist in rebalancing its ecosystem, maintain the pond’s buffer, reduce the grassy areas that the Canada Geese occupy, encourage other woodland wildlife to inhabit the area, and ultimately improve the watersheds of the Lower Hudson River and the Croton Reservoir.

The native tree and shrub plantings were, in every way, a win-win.  FLMS teachers, students and parents, in addition to having a great time, gained experience in planting trees and shrubs that they can carry over to new opportunities to plant.  Wallace Pond, which is increasingly burdened by pollutants in runoff from the surrounding grass and nearby roads, parking lots, driveways and buildings, will gain a buffer of trees and shrubs to slow storm water runoff by improving infiltration of water, to remove pollutants by natural and less costly means, to cool the pond water, and to provide a wildlife habitat.  Ultimately, anyone who drinks water will be one small step closer to maintaining that all important resource for themselves and future generations. The multitude of benefits would not have been possible without the collaboration between teachers, community members, students, families, local government and regional organizations. 

In the winter along with many other municipalities, the Mt. Kisco CAC volunteer chairman Ed Campbell and volunteer member Andrew Weidmann applied for the ELLA Stream Conservation Initiative Grant, which provided trees, shrubs, and planting materials.  This was possible with the support of our village board, the mayor and the recreation department.  ELLA’s unique regional initiative is to work with town conservation organizations and committees from all over our Hudson Hills and Highlands region to provide stream and water course conservation for the good of our watersheds and the water we drink.  Fox Lane Middle School teachers Malynda Nichol, Christine Ledrich and Andrew Weidmann brought 7^th grade students and FLMS One Earth Club members to plant the trees and shrubs and some of the students even convinced their parents to join in the effort! With the expertise of Watershed Forester Brendan Murphy of WAC, volunteers learned quickly how to plant the trees and shrubs so we they will survive and thrive around Wallace Pond.  Staff from the Hudson HREP pre-dug most of the holes with their mechanical auger allowing for expedited planting.  Thanks to all partners the day was a success.