The MillionTrees Project (MTP) was initiated in 2007 with a goal of planting/distributing 1 million oak trees. Not only do these trees provide shelter and a viable food source for wildlife, but they also help to increase biodiversity, prevent erosion, and improve water/air quality. After breaking ground on their new tree nursery in 2014, LL&W is excited to announce that they will be harvesting their one-millionth tree this spring!
“The project was originally started with the idea of planting more hardwoods on the islands of the Mississippi River. There were so many people who needed trees for their own projects that we decided to expand and start our own nursery.” says LL&W Founder and President Chad Pregracke, “We set the lofty goal of planting/distributing one million trees in just ten years. Because of the thousands of volunteers that have helped, we were able to do it in only nine. What I love about this project is that these trees will be growing for many generations to come.”
There will be many upcoming opportunities for volunteering with LL&W in the Quad Cities Area. LL&W will need assistance with their tree harvesting, and tree wrapping in late March/early April:
Tree Harvesting – LL&W is looking for 5-10 volunteers to help us each day of harvesting our trees. This event is for adults only. LL&W will provide lunch and all necessary tools and gloves. Please dress to get dirty! LL&W staff will operate a tractor and “harvester” to pull the trees out of the ground. Volunteers are needed to help trim roots, bag and bundle trees, label, and transport trees from field into reefer trailer. Stay for an hour or stay all day!
- LL&W Tree Nursery - 6000 Eastern Avenue Davenport, IA 52807 – Adults only*
Volunteer Date/Time: Monday, March 21-Friday, March 25 from 9am-4pm
Tree Wrapping - Volunteers of ALL AGES are needed to help wrap the tree roots in wet newspaper, bag, and tag. Please be prepared to get dirty! Stay for as little or as long as you want! All volunteers to this event will receive a free t-shirt for 2 or more hours of service (or a LL&W reusable grocery bag for less than 2 hours).
- East Moline School District – Transportation Garage – 2025 Morton Drive East Moline, IL 61244 – Date/Time: Thursday, March 31-Sunday, April 3 9am-5pm
- Living Lands & Waters’ Shop – 17624 Route 84 North East Moline, IL 61244 - Wrapping Date/Time (these events are limited to groups of 20 or less): Monday, April 4 – Friday, April 8 – 9am-4pm
Visit: http://bitly.com/ to register or to learn more!
About Living Lands & Waters – Chad Pregracke started Living Lands & Waters in 1998 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and restoration of America’s major rivers and the education of environmental issues. From his single boat beginning, LL&W has grown to an industrial strength, internationally known organization with a fleet of barges and workboats. LL&W engages thousands of volunteers each year in river cleanups, hands-on environmental education workshops, the Great Mississippi River Cleanup, Adopt-a- River-Mile program, Invasive Species Removal, and the Million Trees Project.
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