Recycle Depot celebrating Earth Month with $1 sapling sale
The Marshall County Recycle Depot is inviting the community to “get a tree, give a tree” throughout april in honor of Earth Month.
The depot will be giving away native Indiana tree saplings for a donation of $1, with all proceeds benefiting Trees for the Future, a nonprofit that focuses on repopulating diminishing tree populations in areas that need it the most.
according to the organization’s 2020 goals statement, Trees for the Future is “working to plant 1 million people out of poverty by planting 125,000 Forest Gardens by 2025.
“We are doing this through the expansion of our Forest Garden projects, collaboration with partner organizations and the replication of our model through training others.”
Throughout the monthlong fundraiser, the Recyle Depot will match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $400 — there are 400 trees ready to be handed out: white pine, river birch, black cherry and chestnut oak, all of which were grown by the Department of Natural Resources in northern Indiana.
“Here at the Depot we are striving to be community leaders in environmental and sustainable education,” said River Watson, Recycle Depot intern. “Each year we provide a way for the community to participate in Earth day/month all while providing and educational meaning behind it. Last year we weren’t able to do anything because of COVID so this year we are shooting to make up for that and go big with 400 trees being planted into our community all while planting more through Trees For The Future, the organization that will be receiving all the proceeds.”
Saplings can be purchased at the depot, 1900 Walter Glaub Drive, during normal business hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday; 8:30 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday; and 8 a.m. to noon the first and third Saturday of the month.
Anyone who takes a tree home will also receive a free depot hat, according to Watson.
“The overall goal we hope to achieve from this event is to educate people on the importance and value that trees provide to us and to others across the world,” she said. “All while giving the residents of Marshall County the chance to participate in this year’s Earth Day.”