The Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB, local students, and Noontootla Creek Farms partnered last week to enhance the local ecosystem through an Arbor Day tree planting in Mineral Bluff.
In a robust display of community collaboration and environmental stewardship, Chamber representatives, sixth grade students from Fannin County Middle School and Noontootla Creek Farms celebrated Arbor Day with a significant conservation initiative aimed at restoring and enhancing the local ecosystem at Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park just outside McCaysville, GA.
This initiative, part of a sixth grade STEM project focused on stream restoration, involved students who have dedicated the year to studying and improving the local trout streams. Their activities have ranged from research on healthy trout stream needs to monitoring water quality and raising and releasing trout into Weaver Creek.
On Arbor Day, Friday, April 26, 2024, the students, along with the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce team, took their learning outside to plant native trees and plants, including river birch, river cane, button bush, white pine, and elderberry live stakes. These plants are essential for creating buffer zones that protect water quality, prevent soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, promote flood mitigation, and provide climate resilience.
Emily Owenby, operations coordinator for Noontootla Creek Farms, guided the group in planting techniques. She was instrumental in plant selection and ensuring the placement of plants would be best for long term conservation of the area. Emily has an Environment Science degree of University of North Georgia and is the founder of Noontootla’s Conservation Initiative.
Aside from planting, the students were broken up into groups working on park and stream clean up, macro invertebrate counts, and chemical water monitoring, all of which are crucial for assessing the health of the aquatic ecosystem.
“The dedication of our students and community to environmental stewardship is inspiring and necessary for preserving our precious natural resources,” said Christie Gribble, President & CEO of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce. “Through partnerships like these, we hope to instill a lifelong commitment to conservation and improving the quality of our local habitats.”
Horseshoe Bend Park, a beloved community spot known for its trout fishing and the popular Pickin’ in the Park music events on Thursday during the warmer seasons, provided a perfect setting for the day’s activities. The buffer zone planting took place alongside Wolf Creek, adjacent to the new dog parks, playground, and paved walking path.
This Arbor Day event is just one example of how community partnerships can directly impact and improve the local environment for all residents and visitors to Fannin County.
Follow the #LovingLocal articles in the Welcome Magazine and on the Fannin Chamber’s website at https://www.blueridgemountains.com/community/loving-local/ to see more partnerships and stewardship projects!