Clear Creeks Tree Planting for Earth Day at Gunpowder Falls State Park

Why plant trees in honor of Earth Day? 

“We’re tree huggers!” said Bowley's Quarters resident Ron Walper.  

Vice President of the Bowley’s Quarters Community Association, Walper and his wife, Janet Walper, will join a host of volunteers this Saturday, April 26, to help install 250 trees at Gunpowder Falls State Park in the Hammerman Area. 

The tree planting is sponsored by Clear Creeks: Our Water, Our Heritage, Our Pride, a community-based, grant-funded initiative that helps answer residents’ desire for improved water clarity in the creeks and rivers of the Middle River and Tidal Gunpowder watersheds. 

“We know it needs to be done,” said Janet Walper, who was recognized as a 2013 Clear Creeks Community Leader for her ongoing support of the Project; “Hopefully, the planting will help retain the soil and cut down on pollution.” 

“As development takes trees down,” Ron Walper said, “we have to put trees up.”

Tree roots anchor soil and help filter and absorb the storm water that washes across impervious surfaces, like roads, parking lots, roofs, sidewalks and driveways.  With nothing to stop or slow down the flow, the fast moving water picks up toxins, trash, and sediment and then dumps the polluted mix into the nearest waterway. 

By planting trees, people help restore nature’s filtration and buffer systems and thereby reduce the amount of polluted storm water runoff that clouds their local creeks and rivers.

According to Peggy Perry, Project Manager for Clear Creeks, planting trees is a fun and rewarding experience for volunteers of all ages.  “Tree plantings are perfect for families with children or students who need community learning service hours,” Perry said; “And with our trained and experienced crew chiefs to guide them, it is easy to do while they are making a difference."

The April 26 planting is the third of four tree plantings scheduled through the Clear Creeks Project, which is funded by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Trust, Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability, Baltimore Gas and Electric, and the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy.

By late fall of 2014 in the Clear Creeks watershed, volunteers will have planted 800 trees, including a variety of oaks that help support the forest ecosystem.

“Oak trees provide food for 530 species of caterpillars, which are food for 150 species of birds, while the oak acorn is food for 96 species of animals,” said Perry; “They really are 'mighty oaks.'" 

Looking forward to lending a hand at the tree planting, the Walpers, who have lived in Bowley's Quarters for 34 years, maintain a strong and steady commitment to Clear Creeks.  

“We both feel that this Project--the rain barrels, the edible landscapes, and the rain gardens and tree plantings--are so important to our heritage,” said Janet Walper. 

“And the environment,” Ron Walper added.

“Yes,” agreed Janet Walper, “and keeping the Bay cleaner.”

If you would like to be part of a Clear Creeks legacy of trees, contact Peg Perry at pperry@gunpowderfalls.org to register for the planting.  And visit the Project website for a full calendar of free events, including bay-friendly garden installations, rain barrel workshops, and creek clean-ups at www.clearcreeks.org.