"The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
 November 25, 2013
Dear Justin,
Last year the Soque River Watershed Association began what we believe is one of the best projects we've ever worked on. Simply stated we started PLANTING and SELLING TREES. All together 2,500 trees were planted in January of 2013! Volunteers helped to plant 1,500 trees to restore a barren school grounds at Fairview Elementary, another 350 trees along a streamside farm, 660 trees were sold to the public, and 60 fruit trees were planted at 5 schools and 2 public parks. It was a surprise to us how much FUN planting all these trees was for us, our volunteers, our project partners, and the wider community. Perhaps it was a sense that one day, maybe 5, maybe 10 years from now we'll re-visit these areas and be amazed at what they have become... an emerging forest helping to restore the soil, the riverbanks, and rainwater able to soak into the earth!
Based on the success of those projects we decided to be EVEN MORE AMBITIOUS with a goal to double the number of trees planted this winter to 5,000. In order to achieve this goal WE NEED YOUR HELP!
 One of this year's projects is at Level Grove Elementary School. This photo shows how before tree planting leaf mulch is applied (big thanks to City of Cornelia and the School System Maintenance Dept) to stabilize the soil and allow more rain to soak into the ground. For other details of the site check out this SLIDE SHOW
We'd like to ask for your help this year. We are essentially seeking sponsors for each tree that we plant. Since we are able to order bulk trees at a discount the average price per planted tree is only about $2.00. That means that for every $20 gift we can plant 10 bareroot maple trees. A $50 gift will help us plant up to six 3-gallon trees of river birch or winged elm. A $100 gift actually plants 5,000 square feet of trees or a quarter acre. These are tangible differences you can see and watch grow in the years ahead!
We're about half way to our goal so far ($5,300 raised of our $10,000 goal). Please help us plant a new generation of trees and forests that will contribute to our communiy's beauty and environmental stability for decades to come.
There's 3 ways to get involved. For the super ambitious you can do all three:
1) DONATE - Perhaps the most vital contribution you can make, and insures we meet our project goals is to make a small donation. You can donate ONLINE or mail a check to PO Box 1901, Clarkesville, GA 30523. A gift of $10, $20, $50, or $100 will make a huge difference.
2) VOLUNTEER - There are several PLANTING DAYS that we need volunteers to help with. The first two are coming up in just one week. On Monday, December 2nd we'll plant 50 container trees at Level Grove Road starting at 10:30am. The next day on Tuesday, December 3rd we'll plant 50 more container trees at Alley's Farm on Glade Creek Road at 9am. To volunteer for these send an e-mail to soque@windstream.net. There will be additional planting days in January. Stay tuned.
3) ORDER TREES - We'd also love for you to order trees to plant at your own home or business. Our annual tree sale will be on Friday, January 10th at the Mauldin House parking lot in Clarkesville (gravel parking lot across from library) from 3-6pm. To see our selection and place an order visit the ONLINE ORDERING SITE YOU CAN HELP TO PLANT THE FORESTS OF TOMORROW
by MAKING A SMALL GIFT TODAY
Thank your for your interest and support,
Justin Ellis
Executive Director You can also simply print out this e-mail and mail in this bottom section here.
____ Yes, I'd like to make an extra gift of ___________ to support the SRWA's winter tree campaign.
TOTAL ENCLOSED _______________
Mail check to:
SRWA
PO Box 1901
Clarkesville, GA 30523 a Huge THANK YOU to those who have already made a contribution to the
TREE CAMPAIGN Milton Watson, Ralph Singer, Helen Norton, Cheryl Lusnia, Sarah Lanier, Anne and Alan Hall, JD Wellons, Jim Toler, Doug Henry, Ben Maxwell, Richard Hagler, Harold Smith, Fieldale Farms, Bruce Keenan, Zeke Williams, Dennis Clines, Winnie Hicks, Audrey Moylan and Ted Doll
All business donors of $100 or more will also receive recognition on all our web media, Facebook, etc.
The Soque River Watershed Association (SRWA) is a tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the United State Internal Revenue Code. Our Federal ID number is 31-1608576. Contributions to SRWA are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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