Fermilab hosts Arbor Day planting to create habitat for rare shrub land birds

At Fermilab and throughout the Chicago Wilderness, shrub land birds are second only to grassland birds in conservation need.

While Fermilab is known for its extensive prairie restorations, creating patches of native shrubs will provide habitat for 13 species of shrub land birds that are of high conservation priority. Join them for a volunteer workday to help create structurally diverse shrub lands crucial to the conservation rare birds and other wildlife.

Fermilab has celebrated Arbor Day since 1969. This year's event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 9. The rain date is Thursday, May 10, in case of inclement weather.

Bring a shovel and gloves if you have them and wear outdoor shoes. A free hot dog lunch will be provided.

The event is open to the public and volunteers will assist in planting native trees and shrubs provided by Fermi Research Alliance and Fermilab Natural Areas.

Fermilab Natural Areas, started in 2006, is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to restoring, managing, and enhancing the natural areas and resources of Fermilab in order to maintain and improve their ecological health and biodiversity.

For more information, contact olah@fnal.gov or (630) 840-3303.

For other volunteer opportunities, visit www.fermilabnaturalareas.org.