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Trees and Watershed Management

TREES ARE AT THE ROOT OF EFFORTS TO CONTROL FLOODING AND PREVENT EROSION.  LEARN WHY THEY’RE CRUCIAL TO WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ON TODAY’S ENVIRONMINUTE.

ANDY MASON OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE’S NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE SAYS ROOTS AND FALLEN LEAVES IMPROVE SOIL STRUCTURE AND STABILITY, WHILE BRANCHES INTERCEPT RAIN, SO IT HITS THE EARTH WITH LESS EROSIVE ENERGY.

TOGETHER WITH GRASSES AND SHRUBS, TREES ALSO STORE FLOODWATER AND FILTER RUNOFF FROM AGRICULTURAL FIELDS. THAT’S WHY THEY’RE OFTEN STRATEGICALLY PLANTED BETWEEN WATER BODIES AND FARMERS’ CROPS.  BUT TREE-PLANTING FOR NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION REQUIRES CAREFUL PLANNING, SO MASON SUGGESTS LANDOWNERS ASK FOR HELP.

MASON: IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO GET THE RIGHT TREES PLANTED IN THE RIGHT PLACES FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.  REALLY A LAND OWNER NEEDS TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM A NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONAL.

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM. 

For information about where and how to plant a tree on your land, visit the NRCS site.