CANTON – Volunteers were recognized and thanked by Carol Emery, partnership director of River Valley Healthy Communities, as she presented a check for $500 to Sue Gammon, trails project coordinator, on Saturday. The funds will allow Gammon to further develop trails and recreational areas, small parks, farmers’ market and town gardens.
Gammon acted quickly when the first buyouts in the flood zone began. After Federal Emergency Management Agency grants became available, she started working on grants to develop something beneficial to the town from the vacant land where homes stood before a flood in December 2003 led to the buyout.
Her dream started to became a reality with a grant of $3,375 from the Wildlife Habitant Incentive Program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and by Trout Unlimited’s Curtis Bohlen. Gammon says Bohlen has shared his expertise by providing a planting plan for the project and other help.
The grant made it possible to purchase trees and plants. Volunteers worked to plant 264 trees and other plants on lands vacated by the buyouts of people in the flood zone. There were more than 30 volunteers, many of whom were children, planting on May 29 and 30. The Canton Volunteer Fire Department is following up by watering the trees.
The plantings provide a buffer zone for additional protection of wildlife habitats in the Bog and Whitney brooks area. All of the trees planted are native to Maine, according to Gammon. The largest group planted were red maples, followed by black and green ash, birch, white pine, black spruce, red oak and several other species.
The River Valley Healthy Communities focus is on the reduction of tobacco use, increase physical activity and improve nutrition. Emery said the group recognized the Canton Trails because it will make an inviting area for people, particularly children to walk and enjoy. Emery said there are many communities, who have mapped areas to walk in their towns and the River Valley Healthy Communities have the maps available.
The River Valley Healthy Communities provided healthy refreshments for the volunteers.
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