APEC to Host Arbor Day Planting Event on April 28

This weekend, will host a tree and shrub-planting event for Arbor Day as well as begin to sign up local children for the site’s fall programs.

On April 28, volunteers will plants trees and shrubs in Alley Pond Park as part of APEC’s annual Arbor Day celebration.

The event, which will begin at 10 a.m., is open for anyone who wants to attend.

Aline Euler, APEC’s education director, said the planted trees and shrubs will improve air quality, provide homes and shelter for wildlife, conserve topsoil and help to keep the local atmosphere in balance.

“We’re looking for native shrubs,” she said. “They’d be better because if they bring other types, that wouldn’t match with the birds that eat the berries. It’s better in an ecosystem to add native plants.”

Volunteers are asked to bring native shrubs that will provide food and ground cover for some of the animals that live near Alley Pond.

Euler said there is a variety of acceptable shrub and tree seeds that can be bought at local nurseries, such as winterberry bush, native holly, red oshier dogwood, blueberry, raspberry, swam rose, mountain laurel, buttonbush, inkberry, oak and shag bark hickory.

Volunteers should also bring work gloves, sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.

To register, call APEC at 718-229-4000, ext. 202.

The environmental center will also begin registration for its early childhood programs on Saturday.

APEC members will be able to sign up at 1 p.m. and non-members should show up at 3 p.m.

Parents will pay a $25 deposit to hold a spot in a class for their child.

“Some of these classes fill up quickly,” said Irene Scheid, APEC’s executive director. “If they are not filled this weekend, registration will be ongoing.”

Alley Pond Environmental Center is located at 228-06 Northern Blvd. in Douglaston.