Can you picture a better way to celebrate Earth Day than planting trees?
On April 21, Earthwise Agassiz, in partnership with the Fraser Valley Conservancy, invited community members to get their hands dirty and help to plant an assortment of trees and shrubs along the Miami River.
Since 2015, Earthwise Agassiz has been a nature-based community resource in the area, working to restore local habitats and promote environmental education with a one-acre organic teaching farm. The society maintains a 58-acre site with a range of ecosystems between Harrison and Agassiz and the Miami River running along the entire eastern boundary.
Led by ecologist Mike Pearson, Saturday’s Earth Day planting activities enhance riparian zones – the interface area between land and streams or rivers – by offering shade, stability and pollen.
When the water is low in the summer, it’s vital the water stays at a temperature that promotes fish survival, Pearson told the Observer. That’s where shade from the newly planted trees and woody shrubs will come in.
“The trees and shrubs with strong roots also stabilize the banks,” he said. ” And a lot of insects fall off trees and shrubs that the fish can eat.”
“The riparian area is really what keeps the aquatic habitat healthy.”
Patricia Fleming, executive director for Earthwise Society said the group planted “a variety of native plants, taller trees and a lot of woody shrubs well-adapted to wetlands.”
“Native plants are particularly valuable in providing habitat and food to indigenous wildlife,” stated the Earthwise Society. “Which in turn helps to maintain local biodiversity in the face of climate change.”
Fleming said the group also included perennials, which offer the advantage of blooming later than indigenous shrubs for a longer forage season.
“When you’re by a farm, it’s really important to provide diversity of habitat for pollinators.”
The group plans to continue its partnership with Fraser Valley Conservancy over the summer to take on habitat restoration for the endangered Salish sucker and Oregon Spotted frog.