Springfield, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/24/2014 -- On Tuesday, January 25th, students from Cathedral High School will join Regreen Springfield and the City of Springfield Parks Department in restoring native vegetation to the woodlands around Quarry Pond in Sixteen Acres, which was heavily impacted by the June 2011 tornado. New trees were planted by community volunteers, and the City, following the storm event, but undesirable vegetation now threatens to overtake the new trees and shrubs that were planted.

During this work, which will take place between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, students will remove undesirable vegetation and clear areas around the new trees that were planted following the tornado, and are now beginning to mature on the site. Working with staff from the Springfield Conservation Commission and the Parks Department, the students will provide services that otherwise would not be affordable, since FEMA reimbursement does not cover maintenance of new tree plantings. Nearly 800 trees and shrubs were planted at the site in the restoration effort, and this work day is intended to enhance the likelihood of these trees surviving and reaching full maturity.

According to Ed Casey, Springfield City Forester, "This community service project is so special since it provides the students with a chance to better understand our natural systems, while at the same time completing important maintenance work that would have been left undone", he said. "Regreen Springfield has been partnering with the City since the tornado occurred, and this is one more example of how they are able to assemble teams of community volunteers to assist in regretting the city", Casey added.

The project is expected to continue next spring with a second day of community service by the Cathedral High School students, as well as two neighborhood resident work days.

About Quarry Pond
Quarry Pond is located on the Camp Wilder wilderness site, 1530 Parker Street, Springfield, Massachusetts.