News, Tours & Events
Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® To Clean Up and Plant Along Scajaquada Creek in Forest Lawn Cemetery
Posted on May 17th, 2011Project Aims to Improve a Portion of Western New York’s Most Damaged Waterway.
Buffalo, NY – This Saturday, May 14, beginning at 9:00 a.m., more than 30 volunteers from Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER® and Forest Lawn Cemetery will spend approximately four hours cleaning up a portion of the Scajaquada Creek that runs through Forest Lawn Cemetery; they will also plant 436 native trees, shrubs and perennials as part of a project funded by the New York Power Authority through the Niagara River Greenway Commission. The 500 linear feet of streambank being planted is located on the north shore of Scajaquada Creek, across from Mirror Lake, between two of the bridges that cross over the creek. The project will take place rain or shine.
“This project is one of 25 sites we will plant by September 2012 along the Niagara River and its tributaries such as Scajaquada Creek, which is one of our area’s most damaged waterways,” says Larry Brooks, Watershed Restoration Project Manager for Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER. “Our goal with this project is to repair and restore natural habitat using native plants that will naturally mitigate erosion, shore up the creek bank and ease runoff. Native plantings have adapted to the Western New York climate and require no pesticides, fertilizer or watering once they are established.”
“This significant initial rehabilitation of our historic landscape will provide the community with a look at the potential this beautiful natural green space ultimately will have for wildlife and for our community,” says Joseph P. Dispenza, President of The Forest Lawn Group.
“These trees, shrubs and perennials will be a most welcome addition to Forest Lawn, and we are grateful to RIVERKEEPER and to all the volunteers who have signed up to help with this important, worthwhile project,” continued Dispenza.
Native trees and shrubs that will be planted on Saturday in Forest Lawn include 100+ Streamco Willow trees; 100+ Red Osier Dogwoods; 55 each Button Bush, Chokecherry and Lammon Ninebark trees; 12 Sycamore and River Birch trees and 11 Black Cherry trees, each approximately four feet in height. In addition, perennial flowers such as Black-eyed Susan, Common Milkweed and New England Aster will be planted.
“This project perfectly illustrates the improvements that can be accomplished by combining the technical expertise of the Erie County Soil & Water Conservation District and RIVERKEEPER staff, in a collaborative relationship with Forest Lawn Cemetery,” says Brooks. “It is critical that we work now to safeguard our waterways for future generations.”
Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER is always looking for volunteers for its RestoreCorps group of volunteers, which is comprised of community members who help the organization with planting projects. For more information, click here.
About Forest Lawn
As one of the first rural cemeteries in the United States, Forest Lawn – located in downtown Buffalo, NY – is at the heart of Western New York’s cultural tourism renaissance. Its first interment took place in 1849; today there are more than 160,000 permanent residents in this 269-acre, non-denominational, non-sectarian, not-for-profit cemetery. Forest Lawn offers year-round guided tours, educational programming, flag retirement ceremonies for scouts, special veteran programming and so much more. Forest Lawn is the only local full-service cemetery for traditional and cremation arrangements listed on the State and National Registries of Historic Places.
About Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER®
Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER is an advocacy and action organization that protects our invaluable water by using technical expertise, community engagement, and collaborative relationships. RIVERKEEPER leads Buffalo Niagara's efforts to safeguard our water for present and future generations. RIVERKEEPER is accepting applications for this project from landowners in Erie and Niagara Counties; for more information and to apply, click here.
Photo: Joe Cascio
