“Plant Native This Spring”
Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District launches 2022 Conservation Tree & Shrub Program
It’s time to do your part in helping local conservation! The Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District has released their spring 2022 species list for their annual Conservation Tree & Shrub program. For 46 years, the District has hosted this successful program, with over 17,650 native and naturalized trees and shrubs being distributed to landowners last year alone!
With almost 40 different species including hardwoods, bare-root conifers, shrubs, wildflowers, and variety packs, The District is doing their part is making our communities green. Don’t miss out on getting your species – be sure to pre-order them, along with other products great for conservation projects including bat and bluebird houses, seed mixes, and more!
The District added 6 new trees and shrubs, 2 new conservation packs, 1 herbaceous flowering plant and 1 new mix to one of our best-selling conservation packs! Our new items are all showy, beautiful trees and shrubs, sure to liven up your yard and attract a variety of wildlife! All native, these species produce wildlife-attracting fruit and flowers, provide quite the fall scenery with their stunning foliage, and can be used for various home projects like furniture. Some of these new species include White Cedar (Arborvitae), Paper Birch, American Cranberry, and Red Osier Dogwood. By planting these native plants you can increase wildlife habitat, provide a windbreak, reduce erosion, reduce stormwater runoff, do your part in being climate resilient, and help create habitat for pollinators! Check out all the benefits of these and our other selections by visiting our website catalog (link included below).
The Conservation Tree & Shrub Program is a pre-order program with a deadline for ordering on March 4, 2022. We have a limited availability for plant stock so in order to ensure we can meet your needs, please order early! We offer mail-in, email, and online ordering. The distribution of the plant material will occur at the Monroe County ecopark on April 21-22, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. We will also hold a first come, first serve overstock sale on April 23, 2022 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. where you can come in and purchase trees without having to preorder.
Please note that many of our tree species come as young, small, rooted clumps – we do not sell full grown trees. Once planted the small seedlings should take to the soil and grow leaves once spring arrives. This year, three of the conifers we are offering are transplants, meaning they are stronger and more mature when you plant them!
Those interested in this program can find the order form and our full color catalog on the District’s website: www.monroecountyswcd.org. If you have any questions or you’d like a form sent to you, contact the Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District at: (585) 753-7380, Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.