By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-957962.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lexington city officials have announced the date and location for this year's Reforest the Bluegrass.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 16th. That's when volunteers will plant thousands of tree seedlings as part of the 13th annual Reforest the Bluegrass.
City arborist John Saylor says this year's location is in northeast Lexington at Liberty Park, near the corner of Liberty Road and Star Shoot Parkway.
"It's a fairly new park that we've acquired the past ten years or so. There is a blue-line stream that runs through here; [we are] restoring that riparian buffer strip over the creek."
Corporate sponsors help purchase the seedlings, including redbuds, silky dogwoods, pawpaws, and bur oaks.
Over the years more than 185,000 tree seedlings have been planted as part of Reforest the Bluegrass. Saylor says the trees improve water quality and wildlife habitats and reduce soil erosion.
For volunteer information, visit lexingtonky.gov/rtb, email the event organizers at rtb@lexingtonky.gov or call the Reforest the Bluegrass hotline at (859) 258-3028.