by Trish Rudder
Planting a tiny forest to celebrate Arbor Day will welcome volunteers to plant trees and shrubs on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Berkeley Springs Depot.
Town of Bath Councilwoman Rebecca MacLeod said the tiny forest will be dedicated to the late Gale Foulds, a longtime environmental volunteer and leader.
The plantings will help continue the remediation of the eastern section of the former rail yard, which is being cleaned up using natural soil building and habitat restoration, she said.
MacLeod said last week that two West Virginia native Red Spruce seedlings were also planted on the north side of the Depot.
Later in the year, more native shrubs and wildflowers will be planted on the stormwater control feature.
The stormwater control feature that included the construction of the streambed on the Depot lot was made possible through environment grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, WDEP and EPA.
The Town of Bath was awarded a $55,400 grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust from the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Award Program to revitalize the Berkeley Springs Depot lot.
The stormwater design will turn the eastern portion of the former rail yard into a usable community green space from a barren gravel lot, MacLeod said.
The Warm Springs Watershed Association and the Town of Bath Tree Board are hosting the celebration.
Representatives of the WV Division of Forestry will join Bath officials to celebrate its 16-year recognition of Bath as a Tree City USA member.