After a busy winter, Manomet’s Clear Water Carbon Fund is planning to plant 1,500 trees this summer in three New England watersheds.

 

These trees will be planted along the banks of streams and rivers and will protect clean water, provide wildlife habitat, as well as remove and store carbon from the atmosphere.  Trees planted by the Clear Water Carbon Fund this year will restore approximately a half a mile of stream and river banks and will over time remove over 525,000 pounds of carbon from the atmosphere. 

 

The trees were “purchased” by individuals and businesses that wanted to protect clean water in their community while reducing their carbon footprint.  The program was launched less than a year ago but was immediately met with an enthusiastic response. In the month leading up to the holidays, the fund sold 350 trees just as gifts.

 

“People have definitely been excited about the program” said Project Manager Ethel Wilkerson. “Clear Water Carbon Fund provides a way to take action on climate change and protecting of clean water in their local community.”

 

The first 1,500 trees will be planted this summer in the Sebago Lake Watershed (Maine), Androscoggin River Watershed (Maine) and the White River Watershed (Vermont).

 

The plantings in the Androscoggin River Watershed will take place as part of a partnership with Central Maine Power. The utility purchased an acre of trees to promote its Earth Day activities and will distribute a flyer to its customers, describing the project and its benefits.

 

Wilkerson said that the exact timeline for planting is weather dependent, but the first trees will go in the ground in May. The project is planning a ceremony in June to celebrate with local land trusts, local businesses, and other project supporters.

 

To learn more about the Clear Water Carbon Fund, go to www.clearwatercarbonfund.org.