Bringing Shade to Gulfport: A Big Thank You to Our Amazing Volunteers! 🌞🌳
Take MAR is thrilled to share the highlights from our recent tree planting event in beautiful Gulfport, Florida. Thanks to our incredible volunteers, we successfully planted 11 trees along the spur trail, which is commonly used by bikers for commuting.
A Warm Welcome
Our day kicked off with a warm welcome and some light-hearted jokes from our very own TREE Board Member, Brad McCoy. His enthusiastic and positive tone set the stage for a day full of hard work and community spirit. Brad also led a tree planting demonstration, providing valuable insights and tips to ensure our efforts would be successful.
The Trees We Planted
🌿 3 American Elm Trees: Known for their impressive size and beautiful canopy, these trees will grow to provide extensive shade and aesthetic beauty to the trail.
🌿 8 South Florida Slash Pine Trees: These resilient trees are well-suited to the Florida climate and will help create a cooler, more pleasant environment along the trail.
Why This Matters?!
The spur trail has long been a popular route for bikers, but with very little shade, heat and sun exposure have become major concerns. By planting trees, we aim to provide much-needed shade, making the trail more comfortable and safer for all who use it. The trail is primarily black tar, which contributes to the urban heat island effect, where urban areas become significantly warmer than their rural surroundings. Trees play a crucial role in cooling the environment through the process of evapotranspiration, where water absorbed by the roots is released into the air through the leaves. This natural cooling effect can significantly reduce temperatures, especially in urban areas.
Our Hardworking Volunteers!
Despite the sun's intensity, our volunteers showed incredible energy and dedication. Here's a quick rundown of the process:
Hand Digging Holes
Our volunteers got their hands dirty, digging holes for each tree.
Placing the Trees
Carefully positioning each tree to ensure it has the best chance to thrive.
Backfilling
Adding soil back into the hole to secure the tree in place.
Creating Berms
Forming a raised barrier around the tree to help retain water.
Watering
Giving each tree a good drink to help it settle into its new home.
Adding Pine Straw
Spreading pine straw around the berms to help retain moisture and protect the soil.
Thank You!
A massive thank you to all the volunteers who braved the heat and put in the hard work to make this event a success. Your efforts are making a tangible difference in our community, creating a greener, cooler, and more enjoyable space for everyone.
Become a TREE member today and help add to the legacy!! Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on our environment!
