Volunteers sought for FAC tree plant
FAC’s Susan Chapp with yearly tree-planting statistics.
From our weekly issue dated February 20, 2008
Pointing to a map of Illinois Valley, Susan Chapp points out a profusion of black dots, representing properties where Forestry Action Committee (FAC) has planted trees during its 16-year history.
The dots line watercourses and reach into every corner of the valley. Largely through the work of volunteers, FAC plants seedling trees in riparian areas and associated uplands where land owners have indicated an interest in planting and restoring the land.
On Saturday, March 1, FAC will conduct its 16th annual volunteer Tree Planting Day. Those interested should meet at 9 a.m. at FAC’s office at the lower compound of the U.S. Forest Service office in Cave Junction. Volunteers and other crucial necessities are needed.
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“The amount of work that goes into Volunteer Day is beyond belief,” Chapp said. “You’ve got to line up all the volunteers, organizations, land owners and seedling trees. It’s just huge.”
Contributions of food to feed the volunteer corps are needed as well.
“We’re known throughout the Rogue Valley for the food provided for our volunteers,” Chapp said. Because of that, she said, organized fly-fishing groups are some of the most dependable of volunteers.
Besides the fishermen, area Scout, church and school groups usually turn out to help. Children’s groups have an added incentive: Illinois Valley Soil & Water Conservation District donates 25-cents per tree a child plants on Volunteer Day to that child’s school or group. Chapp said that the district’s faithful contribution is a valuable partnership.
Although children are among the most enthusiastic volunteers, it’s good to have the adults on hand to help dig straight, deep holes for the young trees, FAC staff noted.
Property owners who would like to participate by having the tree-planters come should contact FAC, so that a plan can be formulated for that property.
“We work with land owners to develop a prescription for the property,” Chapp explained, “Starting in the riparian zones, with concern for the fish and the banks of waterways, and then methodically moving upland.”
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They like to be able to work with the land and individual land owners year after year, Chapp said. Most of the hard work is in developing land owners.
“If you want to plant trees with us, we will work with you,” Chapp said, explaining that mutual courtesy and respect, and a grass-roots orientation, allows FAC to reach out to a diverse population.
“People are always going to be a crazy mish-mash,” she said. “We take you where you are and inch you forward however we can. We think that’s most effective.”
Chapp asks for patience, as the small FAC staff works through the many details.
“If we forget to get back to someone, we’d really like to encourage them to call again,” she said, “because we really didn’t mean to let it fall through the cracks. We’re just overwhelmed.” Chapp said.
FAC, she said, is undergoing growing pains, due in large part to a tightening of funding sources and greater requirements placed on organizations requesting funding. The organization is being required to “grow up” as Chapp put it, by developing a stable, active board committed to promoting the organization’s welfare and finding private donors and community support.
The more stringent grant requirements meant a two-month delay in receipt of Oregon Watershed Enhancement (OWEB) funding this year. That delay forced many of the paid staff to move on, Chapp explained.
Fortunately, grants were available through the National Forest Foundation, and the Carpenter and Collins foundations, for board development work. And though delayed, OWEB funds have come through, making Illinois Valley’s Tree Planting Project the longest consecutively funded project statewide.
Tree Planting Day volunteers should dress for the weather, and are encouraged to bring planting tools.
Volunteers can contact Ed Walden at 592-4098.
