Community

NYC chapter’s tree planting program gets boost

The New York City Chapter of Trout Unlimited recently obtained a five-year extension to grow its Amawalk Outlet/Muscoot River riparian stewardship program.

The chapter has adopted this unique tailwater fishery as a prime resource and will continue efforts to maintain and improve existing habitat. Each Spring, members of NYC TU invite the local community to plant trees and clean up trash at the Amawalk public fishing access. 

Volunteers at this year’s event huddled around mugs of hot coffee and defied pouring rain to plant several hundred native trees, clean stream access, and teach fly fishing to new anglers.

The event was a collaboration with New York Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, with support from TU’s Engagement staff. In addition to BHA and TU members from across the Northeast, Hunters of Color was represented by NYC TU Vice President Brandon Dale.

This and many other community tree planting opportunities have been made possible by a national Trout Unlimited and Tractor Supply partnership called “Plant for Our Future.”

Plans are under way for additional Fall 2023 tree plantings across New York State. Click here to see a list of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities in your region.

By Mark Taylor. A native of rural southern Oregon, Mark Taylor has lived in Virginia since serving a stint as a ship-based naval officer in Norfolk. He joined the TU staff in 2014 after a 20-year run as a newspaper journalist, the final 16 as the outdoors editor of the Roanoke Times. A graduate of Northwestern University, he lives in Roanoke with his wife and, when they're home from college, his twin daughters.