Events and Activities : Tree Day in Vinton; after ceremony, volunteers will plant many on Saturday

A large community tree planting effort will take place in Vinton on Saturday morning, beginning at the Vinton Library.

Volunteers will gather at the Library at 8 a.m.for a brief ceremony. Groups of volunteers will then disperse to the Library and RiversideParkto replant 42 trees at the library and RiversidePark. This is the first of many future replanting efforts by Vinton. The trees are being planted to replace trees lost or damaged after a major windstorm event swept through Vinton on July 11, 2011.

Trees Forever Field Coordinator Mark Pingenot, along with Vinton Mayor John Watson, VPRD Director Duane Randall and Librarian Virginia Holsten, and the families of several people in whose honor the trees are being planted will participate in the event. Anyone interested in helping restore Vinton's trees is invited to participate.

AmeriCorps NCCC members will also participate in the event.

Community officials estimate that 75% of the trees in town were damaged or destroyed by the wind event. Plans are to replant as many of the lost park and street trees over the next few years as possible. An emphasis will be placed on planting a variety of species to help expand and promote the diversity of species in the city’s parks and throughout town. This spring’s plantings will focus on areas around the Library and RiversidePark.

The tree planting project is being funded through a challenge from the Universityof Iowa Community Credit Unionto Trees Forever’s Recover, Replant & Restore program, and numerous local matching donations. Trees Forever and Vinton Parks & Recreation staff will lead the volunteer planting efforts. Lunch will be provided after the planting by the Vinton Parks & Recreation Department.

Volunteers should dress appropriately for the weather, and wear closed-toe shoes, gloves and sun protection as needed. Participants do not need to have special skills or training, and all ages are welcome. In addition, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows and 5-gallon buckets for use in planting and mulching the trees.

For more information, contact Mark Pingenot, Trees Forever Field Coordinator at 319-560-9079.