<em>A Perfect Day for Tree Planting</em>
<em>By Hali O’Connor, Sr. Mammal Keeper, SD AAZK Board Member</em>

Overcast skies, light rain, and cool temperatures were forecasted for 21 January 2012...exactly the right conditions for the much anticipated Acres for the Atmosphere tree planting event. Over 60 people signed up...and SHOWED UP, prepared to dig some holes, get a little muddy and help young native cottonwood trees, arroyo willow trees and a few mule fat shrubs get settled in their new home along the San Diego River in the Mission Valley Preserve.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-2406" title="sd_group" src="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/sd_group-1024x768.jpg" alt="sd_group" width="717" height="538" />

To recap, the San Diego Chapter of AAZK raised over $2200 while hosting the 2011 National AAZK conference last August. The Acres for the Atmosphere project goal was to encourage delegates to donate money to help offset the carbon produced by travel to and from the conference. With this money, SD AAZK joined forces with The San Diego River Park Foundation to plant trees in two choice locations along our precious San Diego River. The total was 319 trees to be exact!

Anyone interested in helping with the planting project was encouraged to sign up on the SD AAZK website to partake in this fun and important event. Planting native tree species along the San Diego River that stretches from Julian to the ocean has many benefits. Native trees provide needed habitat and foods for many species, some of which are endangered. The native trees also provide erosion control, especially important in restoring wildfire burned areas. And the trees help to restore a natural balance and keep invasive species in check.

The 21 January 2012 planting included such an amazing group of enthusiastic and efficient tree planters that the 144 trees allotted to the Mission Valley Preserve were all lovingly planted in an hour! We even had time to clear away weeds from some of the existing trails to help encourage visitors to stay on a path instead of wandering off and disrupting the native plants and animals calling the preserve their home. The San Diego River Park staff also treated us to a wonderful trek to the river’s edge where we learned about some of the native and non-native plant species that live along our river.

The remaining 175 trees will be live oaks to be planted along the El Capitan Reservoir in Alpine on 4 February 2012. Anyone interested in helping with this project may sign up on our website at www.sdaazk.com. Several months ago a group of us went out to this area and collected acorns to produce the trees that will be planted in this area. That way we are sure to plant a species that belongs in the area and is very beneficial to the other species living there.

A big thank you to all those that participated in this wonderful community project! Be sure to check out the pictures from that day on our Facebook® page at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sdaazk">http://www.facebook.com/sdaazk</a>.