53 Trees, Shrubs Planted As Part Of St. Bernard's Reforestation Project

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A blighted area on the grounds of St. Bernard of Clairvaux parish is seeing new life through a reforestation project coordinated by the parish’s Green Team.

On Oct. 21, parishioners planted a total of 53 native trees and shrubs to replenish the area, which carries a New Jersey Wetlands designation.

A steady rain couldn’t hold back the brigade of volunteers, which consisted of Green Team members, confirmation candidates and their parents, and Bold Youth Ministry members, who answered the call to care for creation and dug, cleared, planted, staked, and set up deer protection for the newly planted natives.

Next to a streambed that lies within the Raritan River Watershed, the plantings, which include Hollies, Oaks, Dogwoods, and other species, will make up a “riparian buffer” that will play a vital role in providing habitats for birds and wildlife, controlling and filtering runoff, capturing carbon to battle climate change, and removing contaminants from the air we breathe.

The project was envisioned by St. Bernard Pastor, Msgr. Randall Vashon, who noticed that the church property had lost numerous trees to the emerald ash borer. He suggested to the church’s Green Team that they investigate planting and restoring the property.

With advisement from Robert Lucas, a Restoration Coordinator at the Raritan Headwaters Association, the Green Team planned the project, which began with the clearing of invasive species from the land, followed by the initial phase of tree planting. With the first planting now completed, the Green Team is looking to begin preparations for the second planting, scheduled for 2024, of what will be a 4 phase project

Along with the Office of Catechetical Formation at the church, Mark Dransfield, St. Bernard Youth Ministry Leader, helped coordinate the teen volunteers.

"The teens were really excited about the fact that they’ll be able to directly see the impact of their efforts for many years to come. They understand that they are doing something really important to protect the planet. We are all called to care for creation, but I think it is a call that really resonates with the younger generation," said Dransfield.

Rosemary Pfreundschuh, a Green Team member who helped coordinate the project, was equally excited.

"It was a great feeling to see all of our work finally come to fruition and to be out there planting with middle school-aged Confirmation candidates and their parents from our parish," Pfreundschuh said.

— Submitted by St. Bernard of Clairvaux parish