Raleigh County Parks and Recreation, West Virginia State University, Girl Scouts of Raleigh County and WVU Raleigh County 4H are teaming up to celebrate Arbor Day.
Come out to Lake Stephens overlook to help plant trees or receive an oak tree sapling to plant off site. Finn and Finessa, our resident sharks, will also be in attendance to celebrate Arbor Day and meet visitors.
The event is free and open to the public, no registration needed. Tree saplings will be first come first serve. Current Covid Guidelines will be followed.
Come to plant a tree or take one to plant at home. The overlook will be open before and after the event.
One of Raleigh County Parks and Recreation Authority’s goals is to provide outdoor recreation to residents and visitors. By planting new native trees at Lake Stephens, we are ensuring the current ecosystem remains healthy as well as providing a comfortable outdoor space to learn and enjoy.
West Virginia State University’s Sowing Young Sprouts provides opportunities for at-risk youth to learn sustainable gardening. They combine science, technology, engineering and mathematics with entrepreneurship to create a 4-H program geared towards kids in K-8. The trees are funded by a grant awarded to West Virginia State University by Children, Youth and Families at Risk.
The WVU Raleigh County 4-H program provides positive youth development through hands-on learning in the areas of STEM, civic engagement, and healthy living. Through service and experiential activities like this in their communities, youth learn valuable life skills to help cultivate a promising future.
Girl Scouts of Raleigh County are participating in the Girl Scout Tree Promise. The Tree Promise is a nationwide program setting out to plant five million trees across the country in five years, and to protect and honor new and existing trees. Not only is this great for wildlife, it will also help ease the effects of climate change.
Any other organization wishing to participate can contact Molly Williams by phone 304-254-8371 or by email mwilliams@raleighcounty.com.