Always too soggy for a good game of softball or baseball, a field in the south of Oakledge Park (a Vermont Class 2 Wetland) is being converted back to its natural state—a forested wetland. Partnering with Audubon Vermont, Burlington Parks Recreation and Waterfront department has planted over 1,400 native trees and shrubs, many sourced from the Intervale Center's Conservation Nursery and grown right here in Burlington. With support from the National Audubon Society’s Plants for Birds program, species planted were selected with an eye towards native tree and shrub species that attract and provide cover for birds. Additionally, extensive tree plantings are a notable step towards Burlington’s Climate Action goal of 50% canopy cover in the city by 2025. Look for the 400 new plantings in both the Upper and Lower Wetlands in the south side of Oakledge Park that were added in May 2020. White cedar, buttonbush, white oak, green ash, chokeberry, and winterberry bare root trees and shrubs were all a part of the newest planting addition.
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