Decorah Human Powered Trails Joins Forces with Decorah Parks & Recreation to Plant 110 Trees in Honor of Earth Day

DECORAH, Iowa—On Saturday, April 26, Decorah Human Powered Trails (DHPT) volunteers and community members met Decorah Parks and Recreation staff at the edge of Palisades Park for a briefing on tree planting. After learning how and where to plant trees, the group headed up the hillside to plant. Each team of two carried stakes, tubes, zip ties, shovels, five-gallon buckets filled with water, and four young red oak, burr oak, or swamp white oak trees. When the buckets were empty, they trekked back down the hill to pick up more supplies and start again. The teams focused on an area of Palisades that had recently been cleared of invasive species on a DHPT "Buckthorn Blitz" work day. They made quick work of the project, returning to the truck for more trees until all were planted. The group then moved to Van Peenen Park and started again, working on another area that had been cleared of invasive species by DHPT volunteers. Decorah Parks and Recreation previously reached out to DHPT about planting trees for Earth Day. DHPT members were happy to help and promote the event to the community. In all, four Parks and Recreation staff, fourteen adult volunteers from DHPT and the community, and five youth volunteers participated. Together they planted 110 trees between the two parks. "I appreciate all the teamwork with DHPT and taking the next step in restoring some of the areas where we've teamed up to remove invasives," said Decorah Parks and Recreation Director, Marc Holtey, as the youth volunteers selected snacks and beverages at the end of the project. "We're excited to do things for the next generation. It's fun to see them out here." Decorah Human Powered Trails is a volunteer organization that builds, maintains, promotes and enhances trail experiences in Decorah. For more information about DHPT, please email dhpt2023@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/DecorahHPT.