FirstEnergy’s Green Team in western Pennsylvania recently gathered at the Bear Run Nature Preserve, home to architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater house, to plant shrubs and trees native to the region. The 125 red maple, pin oak, possumhaw, and black chokeberry saplings planted by more than a dozen FirstEnergy volunteers aim to restore forested habitat lost over the years and deter ATV riders from certain areas of the preserve.
“We’re hoping it will deter some of the ATVs riders if they see we are planting this up,” said Zack Zelazny, Stewardship Coordinator for the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy which owns the preserve. “We look forward to monitoring the trees and helping them along as they mature.”
The former strip mine area has been a strong magnet for ATVs. Zelazny is hopeful that some of the strategically placed saplings will grow tall enough to block off trails and show riders that someone cares about this land. The planting is part of FirstEnergy’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and community service. Since starting its initiative, FirstEnergy has planted more than 67,000 trees across its service territory and plans to plant 25,000 more this year.
The Green Team consists of FirstEnergy employees who volunteer their time for various environmental initiatives. “I really appreciate the outdoors and see the benefits of revegetating areas that need it for all to enjoy,” said Jeff Irons, a FirstEnergy Transmission Engineering Design Supervisor.
Elsewhere on the preserve, another Green Team group worked on revitalizing a compacted area once used as a log-skid road for an old sawmill. “The best thing you can do is dig a good hole and let the trees that will grow put out strong roots to break up the soil,” Zelazny explained.
The crew hiked about a mile carrying 125 native tree and shrub saplings along with tools, stakes, and protective sleeves. “The possumhaw and cranberry viburnum shrubs provide seeds for birds to eat and distribute,” Zelazny noted.
For more information about FirstEnergy’s environmental efforts, visit www.fecorporateresponsibility.com.
