This morning at 10:00 am students from Lee Vining Elementary school walked from their classroom down to Lee Vining Creek to plant trees for Earth Day. A tradition since 2005, this local Earth Day celebration is a great way to get outside and help out Mono Lake too.
In preparation, students from third, fourth, and fifth grade classes learned how to plant trees yesterday during a hands-on demonstration at school.
Today they carefully planted and watered 60 native Jeffrey pine seedlings in what was historically riparian forest before excessive water diversions by the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power left the area dry.
Tree planting is an important piece of the restoration puzzle that aims to bring back streamside forests and wildlife to the Mono Basin; managing seasonal water flows and invasive plant removal are also critical parts of restoring habitat.
On their walk home the students also picked up trash along the Lee Vining Creek Trail and participated in a short solo walk along the trail. After the walk, the students shared with the group what they enjoyed about the day and what they learned from the Earth Day activity.
Outdoor Experiences Manager Santiago Escruceria and Birding Intern Nora Livingston led today’s Earth Day activities. Thank you and happy Earth Day to the Lee Vining third, fourth, and fifth graders!
