On Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 7:40 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Mr. Hedelson and fourteen environmental students left Bel Air High School to assist Harford County’s Department of Planning and Zoning in the planting of 98 trees along Boulton Street in Bel Air at Heavenly Waters Park.

The Harford County’s Department of Planning and Zoning was granted funds from the Harford County Government, in participation with Governor O’Malley’s Stream Restoration Challenge. The challenge is a grant program that is striving to plant 1,000 acres of river-side forests by 2015. Six million dollars were provided to local government and non-government organizations to plant stream buffers that will hopefully improve water quality in the Bay and bodies of water surrounding it.

Tuesday morning, Mr. Hedelson and his students went the extra mile by walking to Kelly Fields on Boulton Street, and when they arrived they found 98 empty holes in the ground waiting to be filled. The trees were planted along the stream located adjacent to Kelly Fields. The riparian buffer, a vegetated area near a stream, usually forested, which helps shade and partially protect a stream from the impact of adjacent land uses, will measure about 100 feet on either side. The students and zoning employees split in half and each planted on one side of the stream. After a variety of trees including, white oak, sycamore, red bud, red oak, black gum, bald cypress and river birch were planted. Mulch was spread around the base of each tree. Finally, a stake was inserted next to the tree and protective wiring was wrapped around the trunk.

“I think it’s exciting to work with an enthusiastic teacher like Glen Hedelson. It’s a good experience for kids to get out of the classroom from time to time and get their hands dirty,” commented Brian Lightner, an Environmental Planner with the Department of Planning and Zoning. “And not only will this project have a long term benefit for the community, but I am sure if these kids move away after high school and then college – when they come back with their families they might be able to see these trees for years to come and be proud of it.” Lightner continued.

Children, parents and morning joggers alike all stopped to watch Tuesday morning as the trees took root in the field.  Most of the trees planted are canopy trees, meaning they will grow up to at least 50 feet in height. In about twenty-five to fifty years a diverse forest will be fully grown and the positive effects of trees, both above and below ground will have long been in effect. These effects being immediate for the community, who will have the pleasure of watching their environment improve as the forest flourishes.

“There will definitely be benefits with shade; these trees will provide shade during games and people will be able to come over here and hide out for a little bit. The community will benefit in general from what trees do in general, they catch storm water runoff. These trees roots, as they mature, are going to catch some of that run off and keep it from getting into this stream which is a headwater stream that goes into Winters Run so water quality will improve a little bit. Also, if anyone is interested in birds, this is going to increase bird habitat.” Lightner said.

After three hours of planting and landscaping the students walked back to the school. Mr. Hedelson, a science teacher at Bel Air High School who organized the trip commented on the day’s work,

“Everybody was attentive, safe and productive, and they all have gained new skills today. Those little headwater streams are the streams that everybody ignores but they are start of every big stream and every big river in the country and if the water doesn’t leave the small headwater streams, cool and clear then the larger bodies of water are all damaged. The work we did today will eventually help Winters Run, which is part of the water supply for the town of Bel Air.”

For assistance with educational components and connecting with school groups, contact Bill Reinhard at [email protected] or call 410.767.0486. To find out more information regarding the Stream Restoration Challenge visit http://dnr.maryland.gov/trustfund/streamchallenge/.