GREENWICH, CT – On Saturday, November 15th, 75 volunteers planted nearly 400 American Chestnut seedlings at The Greenwich Land Trust’s American Chestnut Sanctuary.
The Greenwich Land Trust (GLT) partnered with The American Chestnut Foundation and the Greenwich Tree Conservancy on this project which reintroduced a once dominant tree of Eastern United States forests back to Fairfield County. Volunteers spent the afternoon planting, mulching, and building tree shelters around the young blight resistant seedlings. These trees will be cared for by the GLT for decades and the seeds will provide food for wildlife in the years to come.
JoAnn Messina, Livvy Floren and Susie Baker from The Greenwich Tree Conservancy, Kendra Gurney and Jack Ostroff from The American Chestnut Foundation, and First Selectman Peter Tesei were all in attendance. GLT Board members, Janice Richards, Camille Broderick, Andy Chapin, Bruce Dixon, Doug Campbell, and Julie Burke took part in the planting festivities. Volunteers enjoyed snacks and hot apple cider, generously donated by Whole Foods Market Greenwich.
Funding for this project was made possible through the support of The Greenwich Tree Conservancy, Emerald Tree & Shrub Care, and private donors.