Plant a tree for Earth Day

One Carson City hillside will start a rebirth of sorts Saturday when a local Boy Scout and dozens of volunteers heft 1,000 young trees into an area decimated by wildfire last year.

As an Eagle Scout project, Carson High student Mike Otterstrom has coordinated with Carson City and Nevada Division of Forestry officials to allow him and about 70 volunteers to plant the Jeffrey pine trees on city property south of Lakeview Drive.

The project is an effort to rehabilitate the charred forest and to inspire others to do the same.

"Hopefully, this will start other projects in Carson that need to be done," Otterstrom said.

The planting will begin Saturday and, if there's still more trees to be planted, will continue next weekend.

Otterstrom is still looking for more volunteers to help with the planting, although he said it will get done with or without more help.

"I have some really dedicated volunteers who will work extended hours if necessary," he said.

The sprouts volunteers are planting are smaller than what was originally expected, most of them measuring only inches. They are being provided by the state forestry division.

There are still dead trees in the planting area left over from last summer's Waterfall fire. The spot is hard to reach by helicopter, Otterstrom said, and likely will not be logged as part of the city's ongoing timber salvage effort.

Volunteers are expected to meet up at 9 a.m. at the end of Sandy Circle.

For information or to volunteer, call the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department at 887-2363.

If you go

What: Waterfall fire restoration tree planting at Lakeview

Where: Sandy Circle, south of Lakeview Drive

When: 9 a.m. Saturday

Call: 887-2363