The District’s next Electronic Recycling Event will be on Wednesday October 4th and Thursday October 5th for Wayne County Residents. Registration is required. Click here to read more and to register!
Thinking about Bee Keeping?
We’re Hiring!
Mechanically harvesting aquatic plants on the Wayne County’s bays to Lake Ontario. Position provides opportunities to learn about local water quality issues and invasive species. The hours of operation occur Monday thru Thursday. Duties will include assisting in routine maintenance and periodic cleaning of the workspace and equipment. Hourly wage starts at $17.00 and has increased incentives with CDL endorsement. The District offers paid holidays to part-time employees and also offers opportunities to join or contribute to NYSLR pension program.
Forever Green Tree & Shrub Sale
Think Spring! The District’s Forever Green Tree and Shrub sale is under way. Order online, mail a check or call the office at 315-946-7200. Orders with payment are due by March 10. 2023 with pickup dates in April.
The District offers varieties of low-cost bare root seedlings and transplants, conifers, deciduous trees, bushes and shrubs, fruit plants, conservation packs, habitat boxes, and other products. All plants are grown by private commercial nurseries, these plants provide an economical source of conservation landscaping materials, windbreaks, and quantities for reforesting.
Offering these trees, shrubs and plants helps support conservation planting projects, wildlife enhancement, erosion control and windbreak development needs throughout the area. Download a catalog or order online by clicking here.
Free Seedlings Available to Qualified Landowners

Photo Courtesy NYS DEC
NYSDEC recently announced that the application period for the ‘Trees for Tribs’ “Buffer in a Bag” Program is now open. Qualifying private and public landowners may apply for a free bag of 25 tree and shrub seedlings for planting near streams, rivers, or lakes to help stabilize banks, protect water quality, and improve wildlife habitat.
DEC’s Trees for Tribs Buffer in a Bag program provides free tree and shrub seedlings for organizations and private landowners to create or improve stream buffers on their property. The seedlings are available to qualified landowners for streamside plantings under DEC Buffer in a Bag Program Learn more at https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/77710.html#Bag
Riparian buffers are strips of vegetation (trees, shrubs or grass) planted next to streams or other waterbodies. By planting vegetation along streams, space is created between the water and upland land uses, which helps protect the water quality and stream habitat. To qualify, landowners must have property in New York State with at least 50 feet bordering a stream, river, or lake, and provide photos or a map of the planting location.
Previous recipients are encouraged to reapply to continue to build riparian buffers. Applicants are eligible for one bag of 25 seedlings and recipients are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of 350 bags will be available statewide for this round of applications. The 2023 Buffer in a Bag program, application requirements, and the April 7 deadline. Applications are due by 3 p.m.
These mighty waterside plants start out small, but their impacts are huge:
🌱 They help reduce pollution from entering waterways
🌱 They absorb rain during storms, which slows flooding
🌱 Their roots hold soil in place, which prevents erosion
🌱 The provide wildlife habitat both on land and in the water
🌱 They provide shade, which cools water temperatures and protects native fish
🌱 They absorb and store carbon dioxide, which helps combat climate change
Contact treesfortribs@dec.ny.gov with questions and visit DEC’s Trees for Tribs webpage to learn more.
Windbreaks and Privacy Row – Tree Sale

Diagram showing a windbreak and relationship between windbreak height and the subsequent impact on wind velocity (from: Tree Windbreaks for Farms and Homes, Purdue University Extension).
The Tree and Shrub Sale offers great stock if you are planning a windbreak or privacy row. Start with at least 3-4 rows. The Norway Spruce is excellent and is a fast growing (2-3’ per year) it can grow up to 5 ft a year in a good weather year, another conifer for the tall row is Douglas Fir. For the medium row, Eastern White Pine or White Spruce, for low row, a mixture of shrubs like Lilac or Hazelnut.

















































Conservation Packs
The 2023 Forever Green Tree & Shrub sale is underway. This year the District is offering five different types of conservation packs. These are great starters for the garden. Each pack is $20 and contains 2 of each 5 different species. Order with payment due by March 10, 2023
Native New York Wildlife; 2 each of White Pine, Red osier Dogwood, Black Cherry Tree, Hazelnut Bush, Juneberry Bush
Butterfly and Bird Pack; 2 each of Butterfly Bush, Elderberry, Lilatris, Ninebark, Stella Dora Daylily
Ornamental Flowering Pack; 2 each of Ninebark, Butterfly Bush, Lilac, Rose of Sharon, White Flowering Dogwood
Pond Habitat Pack; 2 each of Red osier dogwood, Buttonbush, Sycamore, River Birch, Willow
Hosta Plant Pack, 2 of each species/ variety of Ventricosa, Hyacinthia, Albo Marginata, F. Aureo Marginata, Honey Bells
Audubon for All Guided Birding Hike – Saturday, June 19
Saturday, June 19
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Join the Montezuma Audubon Center for a fun and inclusive birding walk with a Montezuma Audubon Center environmental educator during this month’s celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community. Enjoy a leisurely 1-mile walk through the grassland and forest while learning about the many birds that live there. This nature walk is for anyone who appreciates community, adventure, and wants to get outdoors to explore. We welcome those who identify as LGBTQIA+, allies, families, and anyone looking for a fun, educational, and inclusive outdoor experience. Facial coverings will be required, and we will follow physical distancing guidelines. This tour is funded in part through the generous support of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
Please note: This hike will depart from the Montezuma Audubon Center (2295 State Route 89, Savannah, NY).
-Fee: $5/child, $10/adult, $25/family.
-Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to get checked in and use the restroom.
-Space is limited and pre-paid online reservations are required.
-Call 315.365.3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with questions.
Registration is required. https://act.audubon.org/a/audubon-all-guided-birding-hike-colvin-marsh-61921