In spite of the cold, damp weather, Community Conservation Day, held on Saturday at Williams Wharf in Mathews, was a success, with dozens of people stopping by to learn about conservation efforts in the York River watershed.
Leslie Anne Hammond of York River Steward said she gave away 400 native trees during the three-hour event, which was held to provide residents of Mathews and Middlesex with information about conservation and recreation opportunities on the Middle Peninsula.
Four species of trees—white oak, black gum, serviceberry and river birch—were provided free of charge to local residents through a Trees for Clean Water Grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry, said Hammond. The species offered were chosen because of their suitability to a variety of landscapes.
Elaine Odell of Susan, who had signed up in advance for one of each type of tree except black gum, said her property faces a number of environmental issues, from sinking land to rising waters, and that one thing s...