Tree Planting on June 4

Post Date:05/26/2017 2:46 PM

On Sunday, June 4th, Park City Municipal and Summit Lands Conservancy are partnering up to plant trees, and we need your help!

**Click HERE to sign up**

  • Who: You! Volunteers are discouraged from bringing dogs and small children as the work will be moderately strenuous and there will be a lot of activity going on.
  • Why: to help tackle climate change
  • When: Sunday, June 4th at 9:00 am
  • Where: meet at the Quinns Trailhead by the Park City Ice Arena. We’ll plant the trees in Round Valley.
  • What (to bring): gloves, a shovel, water and snacks.

Park City has the most ambitious climate goals in North America: net-zero carbon and running on 100% renewable electricity by 2032 for the whole community (and by 2022 for municipal operations). Being a leader means we need to get creative.

Not only are we looking at ways to reduce our carbon emissions, but also exploring how we can increase the amount of carbon that our lands soak up; our carbon sinks. Plants and trees are one of nature’s best carbon sinks, as they capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and lock it away from the atmosphere for some time.

With advisory from USU extension, we have identified the best tree and shrub species native to Park City that will soak up the most carbon. Now we want to get them in the ground to test which native species grow the best, with the least amount of maintenance and water. The plantings will not be a part of a landscaped area, rather in natural areas. This pilot project, and the outcomes that come from it, will help shape future tree planting sites and carbon sink strategies. Need more info? Contact celia.peterson@parkcity.org

 

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Regenerative agriculture

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Soils can potentially trap a large amount of carbon away from the atmosphere. One method of driving more carbon into soils is through regenerative agriculture.

For example, in the summer of 2018 Park City decided to initiate regenerative agriculture on the iconic piece of land at McPolin Barn. This piece of land had remained relatively undisturbed since it was set aside under easement in 1991. The lack of disturbance on the land led to the grasses that grow and die each year to thatch together, never properly decomposing into the soil.

In partnership with Bill White Farms, a local non-profit organization, cattle were reintroduced to the former dairy. Rather than allowing them to spread out and graze on their favorite species, the cattle were herded together which forced them to eat down the grasses and weeds indiscriminately. The disturbance by the cows hooves, as well as what comes out of their tail ends, helped to mix dead matter with the soil and facilitate the decomposition process. This accelerated decomposition is key in releasing nutrients, thus creating a healthy environment for microbiota to trap more carbon away from the atmosphere and build up the health of our soils. The healthy soils are also more able to retain water, and allow for better growth of native species instead of noxious weeds.