Earth Day tree plantings in Niagara Falls State Park

Henry J. Kalfas Elementary School teachers Randy Broeker and Chris Kusk brought three-dozen sixth-grade students to Niagara Falls State Park Wednesday to plant new trees. Children explored the Discovery Center before heading to Goat Island to work with horticulturists Andrea Mondich and Mark Dymond, both from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. They were then treated to lunch by Delaware North, the park's retail and concession operator.

This Earth Day-inspired program is held each year. To date, more than 30 trees have been planted around the falls. Kalfas students planted one red sunset maple and one autumn blaze red maple. Mondich said it takes about six years for each new tree to fully develop.

Assisting the children in their environmental studies were State Parks workers George Washington Jones and Fred Peter Azzarelli II, and Delaware North's Michael Barnes, Mandy May and Keith Jedlikowski. (photos by Joshua Maloni)

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