Volunteers needed for tree planting
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field office in Yuma is asking for volunteers to help plant 2,500 trees in an area that was ravaged by fire in the spring of 2011.
According to Lori Cook, a spokeswoman for the BLM Colorado River District in Yuma, the agency will host a volunteer tree-planting opportunity from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 18, in the Mittry Lake area, which is approximately 8 miles northeast of Yuma.
Volunteers will be planting 2,500 lower Colorado River cottonwood and willow poles.
The Laguna Fire burned 746 acres before the multiple federal, state and local agencies that responded to it were able to contain it. The fire was later determined to be caused by humans.
The fire burned salt cedar, willow, cottonwood and mesquite in the Colorado River riparian area. It also destroyed Betty's Kitchen Recreation Area.
Although it started in California, the fire hopped the river into Arizona. Approximately 95 percent of the fire was on the Arizona side of the river.
Volunteers are asked to meet at the Betty's Kitchen parking lot, which is located south of the Mittry Lake boat ramp. If you are coming from downtown Yuma, take U.S. Highway 95 east, turn left on Avenue 7E, and continue on the paved road for 7 miles. The road will turn into a dirt road and go approximately ¼ of a mile. At the flagging, turn left.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, hats, long pants, closed-toe shoes or boots, and gloves.
Since the fire in May 2011, the native seed has been allowed to germinate, invasive species have been cleared, and holes have been drilled in preparation for planting native vegetation.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.
