This week, Washoe County park rangers harvested nearly 260 trees from Galena Creek Regional Park, and will be donating them to local foster and Nevada National Guard families.
The trees were located to the east/downslope of Marilyn’s Pond, the Historic Fish Hatchery and Camp We-Ch-Me. The area has a fuels reduction plan in place to help protect and manage not only the forest resources, but also the historical and cultural sites.
Since the trees had to go, park rangers decided the smaller white fir trees would make wonderful holiday trees, and offered to cut and donate them to foster families.
Washoe County Roads staff will be helping transport the trees from Galena Creek to Rancho San Rafael Regional Park.
Park rangers have been working with Washoe County Social Services and the Nevada Air and Army National Guard to get notice of the tree donation program to over 200 contracted foster families within Washoe County and National Guard families in Nevada.
The trees were cut Tuesday, December 2, and will be distributed to families on Saturday, December 6, at Reno’s Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During the event, the Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) will be on-hand with a fire crew and special guest Smokey Bear. Families will also be able to enjoy free admission to the Wilbur D. May Museum that day. Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful, a local private, non-profit organization, will offer free Christmas tree recycling to these families after the event.
For more information contact Park Ranger Marie Fong at 775-813-3629.
Galena Creek and Rancho San Rafael Regional Parks are owned and managed by Washoe County through its Community Services Department. Washoe County aims to provide exceptional parks and open space, and recreational opportunities while preserving our natural, historical and cultural resources. For more information, visit http://www.washoecountyparks.com/.
