Community Corner

Neighbors Reach Agreement with Conservationists, Replant Trees

After an area environmental group planted trees in a storm water management area near Deltom Court, neighbors were upset about the loss of open space. The issue was resolved to both groups' satisfaction.

Some recently planted trees in a storm water management area near Deltom Court in Carney were recently moved, putting to rest an issue that had residents up in arms.

On Sunday, neighbors and staff from the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy's Jennifer Branch worked together to move the offending saplings and give back some open space to the neighbors.

The trees were originally planted in mid-April first reported. Neighbors were concerned about the trees occupying an open space they said their children used to play—environmentalists were concerned about restoring the buffer to a tributary of a local waterway called Jennifer Branch.

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Though it began as a tense situation, by day's end, neighbors and volunteers were working on a peaceful resolution.

That process moved even further forward, as well as officials from the county Department of Recreation and Parks late last month. At that meeting, it was decided that some of the trees would be moved.

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According to Diane Brazil, a Jennifer Branch Project staffer, 11 neighborhood volunteers and five project staffers moved the trees, working from 10 a.m. until about 3 p.m. on Sunday.

"The project was such a learning experience for all. It started out with very unhappy folks, but ended with a neighborhood united and stronger," Brazil said.

In addition to moving the previously planted saplings, the crew of neighbors purchased and planted a river birch tree in a marshy area near the other trees, in a show of unity.

"It was great to see the neighborhood folks out and working together for such a great cause," she said.

According to Brazil, the project was an overall success and neighbors plan to adopt a portion of the Jennifer Branch watershed, where they will help to clean up trash.

The Jennifer Branch Project has another tree planting scheduled on nearby Golden Rod Lane on May 28.


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