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Community Corner

Sierra Club Hikes to Water Newly Planted Trees

Members of the local Sierra Club chapter hold a picnic celebrating the club's centennial and hike to water trees planted recently in Deukmejian Wilderness Park.

The Crescenta Valley Sierra Club held its annual picnic Saturday in . This year marks the national Sierra Club's centennial anniversary, and the event included a hike and tree watering.

In November, January and April club members and Glendale Parks Department employees more than 40 big-cone spruce and five live oak trees throughout Deukmejian Park as part of a reforestation effort.

Years of deforestation and the 2009 , which scorched a significant swath of the San Gabriel Foothills, have significantly reduced the number of large, erosion-preventing trees throughout the region.  

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The young trees need lots of water to grow and remain healthy, so park patrons are encouraged to irrigate whenever possible.

"We have to get up here and water them about twice a week," said Bob Thompson, a co-leader of the Crescenta Valley group.

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Club members carried water jugs about one mile up a 500-foot elevation gain that culminated at a stream and waterfall located in the west end of the park. There they refilled their one-gallon bottles at the natural source and watered trees on the way down to the picnic area.

"What inspires me to come is to water the trees because we planted them about two months ago," said club co-leader Andrea Lim. "There used to be a lot of [trees] here and a lot of them are disappearing, so we're trying to bring them back."

Sean Smith, 11, participated in his first nature hike. He attended the event with his mom, Robin Smith.

"I think we should give some water to the trees so they can become big trees because they give out air to the park so we can breathe," Sean Smith said. "So I think we should make them healthy and live longer."

Robin Smith said she attended the event because she loves hiking and wanted to get her son interested in the activity.

"It's healthy and we're inside so much and in front of television," she said. "I want him and me to really experience nature and love nature. It's so peaceful, I think it's just good for your soul to be outside."

Prior to embarking on the hike, George Herr said "it's nice to get in the outdoors and get a little exercise, and I haven't ever actually hiked in this area, so it will be a new experience to see what's out here."

Denise Sims participated in the picnic and hike "to support the Sierra Club and support the group that I'm part of," she said, noting her appreciation for events that combine nature with socializing and the importance of planting new trees.

"It's wonderful for the environment, and after our fire it's wonderful that these things are getting planted again," said Sims.

Local Sierra Club meetings take place the second Tuesday of each month at La Crescenta Library, Thompson said. The meeting won't be held in August but will resume in September.

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