Students and Volunteers Plant Native Trees November 2023

It is sometimes said that a person who plants a tree, plants hope.

There was a lot of hope going around last Tuesday as about 85 elementary school students from Onalaska, Evaline, and Boistfort spent the day out in the November sunshine planting trees along the Chehalis River Discovery Trail near Centralia.

The project was part of a joint effort, organized by the Lewis County Stream Team, Washington Educational Service District #113, and the Chehalis River Basin Land Trust to plant nearly 500 native trees and shrubs in the riparian zone along the Chehalis River, north of Centralia.  The students were joined by teachers, parents, and volunteers as they learned proper planting techniques and as they took a guided nature walk along the Discovery Trail.  Students and grown-ups alike were rewarded by the opportunity to enjoy the brisk fresh air and to help restore the native habitat along the river.

About half of those 500 potted trees and shrubs were successfully planted by the students on Tuesday, November 14th. 

Volunteers from the Lewis County Stream Team and from the Chehalis River Basin Land Trust had another work party on Monday, November 20th to plant the remaining trees and shrubs along the Chehalis River Discovery Trail.