City Of Ashland Arbor Day Event Friday
Ashland’s shorefront was once the hub of economic activity in the region, but much has changed since the days when timber, ore, and other resources were processed or shipped.
Today, a walking trail meanders where train tracks once ran, and playgrounds capture the laughter of children where sawmills once lumbered.
This year the city's shoreland will see additional changes as a partnership of the City of Ashland, Ashland County Land and Water Conservation Department, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Northwoods Cooperative Weed Management Area, and Northland College will plant white pines and other native trees along two areas of Ashland’s post-industrial waterfront.
Ashland Mayor Bill Whalen will begin Ashland’s Shoreland Restoration Project by declaring Fri., May 13 as Ashland’s Arbor Day at 1 p.m. at Bayview Park.
Volunteer youth from the Northland College Lake Superior Youth Symposium will be present throughout the day helping with various aspects of the project as a part of their service learning experience.
Attendees are invited to plant their own tree seedlings into pots. A limited quantity of northern seedling species are available to public on a first-come, first-serve basis. Planting instructions and a promise to plant affidavit will be included.
There will also be a sign-up form for future volunteer opportunities to participate in shoreland restoration, andhelp beautify Ashland’s shoreland.
This project is made possible by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Northland College.
For more information about Northland College and its Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, visit www.northland.edu.