MWCD Employees took part in tree planning on April 16th, 2019. Pictured (from left to right) are Michael Lopez, Zethan Dickey, Fernanda Craig, Michael Kobilarcsik, Evan Ryan, Clayton Rico, John Watkins. (Submitted)

Deersville, Ohio - The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District is highlighting its staff's year-round commitment to being good stewards of the land.

On April 16th, MWCD staff planted nearly 1,100 trees in a dredge disposal area near Tappan Lake. Forest Operations Coordinator Clayton Rico says they planted a mix of 11 native tree species including both soft and hard mast trees to give wildlife a food source at different parts of the year. He says they always try to plant a variety so they avoid creating monocultures. (which can make the forest more susceptible to insect infestations and disease).  

"History has shown us that when you plant all one species, and some type of insect or disease comes through, you will lose everything,” he says.

The trees planted included redbud, sugar maple, red maple, red oak, pin oak, white oak, bitternut hickory, yellow poplar, bald cypress, black gum and river birch. The area also contains a pollinator planting that was established in the spring of 2018.

About MWCD

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) manages 54,000 acres of land and water dedicated to public use. MWCD assets include 10 lakes, five parks, eight campgrounds and four of the ten marinas on the MWCD properties.  Board members meet once a month in open, public session. On-going major strategic initiatives of the MWCD include the $120 million master plan/capital improvement plan for the MWCD parks and campsites and the multi-million-dollar maintenance obligation of the 80-year old flood reduction system of dams and reservoirs in the district.