On Saturday, May 16th, 2009 Royal River Conservation Trust (RRCT), in association with ten regional Wal-Mart stores and their employees planted nearly an acre of trees along the banks of Chandler Brook, in North Yarmouth's Chandler Brook Preserve, a little-known gem where mixed forest runs down to the shores of the brook.  

The project was a perfect example of what the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership’s (CBEP) director calls “making serendipity happen.”  Ten regional Wal-Mart stores wanted to make a contribution to Maine’s conservation efforts through their "Personal Sustainability Project," and got in touch with CBEP.  CBEP gave the Wal-Mart organizers information about a tree-planting project the RRCT was organizing along a tributary to the Royal River.  The able staff at RRCT seized the opportunity, and successfully organized the event in just a few weeks.  Wal-Mart and its employees donated $3,600 to purchase 330 trees, and provided 75 very enthusiastic volunteers who planted them in less than an hour and a half.

The new highbush blueberry, red maple, yellow birch, white pine, red oak, basswood, and hemlock trees will help reduce erosion along Chandler Brook, provide shade to keep the stream cooler in the summer, and offer excellent shore habitat for birds and wildlife.

Congratulations to RRCT, and special thanks to the Wal-Mart employees who made the effort possible.  We understand the after-planting picnic was lots of fun too.

Please stop by and see for yourself the results of what happens when a good idea meets willing participants.