Hundreds of trees and shrubs are planted for Reforest the Red

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Volunteers from many local businesses, along with high schoolers, dug deep into the ground to plant hundreds of trees and shrubs along the Red River.

Reforest the Red is an annual event to encourage the growth of native plants and provide habitat for river wildlife.

Development and cultural practices have prevented the natural regeneration of trees along the banks of the river.

Planting new trees and shrubs in key areas creates a buffer to maintain riverbank stability, improve water quality and reduce air pollution.

“The biggest thing is, well, we’re currently mowing at the city of Fargo, our staff is mowing this area. So getting all the trees and shrubs back in here, it’ll be one less chunk of real estate that we have to mow. And again, just kind of return it to what it used to be many, many years ago,” said Allen Lee, Urban Forestry Program Manager with the City of Fargo.

Around 200 trees and 2,000 shrubs were planted at this year’s event.