Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District

05/07/2026

Reforestation efforts are continuing throughout the county this spring as part of the $200,000 grant awarded to the District through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Forest Restoration from the United States Forest Service for the reforestation of areas in Monroe County in response to the decimation of our local canopies from the emerald ash borer.

Over 2,140 trees were planted across several county parks by Monroe County Parks Department; 130 at Hundred Acres Nature Park by the Rush Recreation & Park Association; 195 in the Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area; over 190 by the Oatka Creek Watershed Committee; over 120 at Tinker Nature Park; over 60 at Monroe Street Park in the Village of Honeoye Falls; over 30 in the Town of Wheatland; and 25 at the Frank E. Vanlare Water Treatment Plant. Thanks to all the volunteers and staff who helped plant this fall!

The final planting efforts will take place this fall.

05/06/2026

For our highlight today, we're looking at the remarkable phenomenon that is spring bird migration!

Every spring, millions upon millions of birds will be migrating to their breeding grounds following the start of spring. Hard to believe? Maybe that's because the majority of these birds are migrating at night. It is believed that there are three main reason for nocturnal migration including less predator attacks (like hawks and falcons), the air is typically less turbulent at night, and the air is cooler. Map forecasts like this one are produced by Colorado State University and Cornell Lab of Ornithology to predict how many birds will be on the move each night. Friday night this week, for example, it is estimated that 356 million birds are going to migrate through the US and according to the map, they will be migrating through the county very soon. May 9th is Global Big Day, so get out and see some migrating birds!

During peak migration times, it is important to limit the amount of light these birds are seeing at night, especially in cities. Every year it is estimated that at least 100 million, and possibly up to 1 billion, birds die each year migrating due to building collisions due to light pollution affecting their visual aids in migrating. You can help migrating birds by turning off all non-essential lights from 11pm until 6am and do not use landscape lights on trees or bushes where birds may be resting before continuing their journey.

Citation for forecast models: Van Doren, B. M., and K. G. Horton. 2018. A continental system for forecasting bird migration. Science 361:1115-1118. doi: 10.1126/science.aat7526.

Citation for imagery: Van Doren, B. M., and Horton, K. G. Year/s of migration forecast map image. BirdCast, migration forecast map; date and time (from forecast image lower right corner). University of Illinois, Purdue University, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. birdcast.org. Date/s of access or download.

05/05/2026

If you're hiking the Cranberry Trail in Braddock Bay you'll notice some reforestation efforts that went in this past weekend.

On Saturday, 20 volunteers dedicated their morning to planting nearly 200 native trees in areas where canopy has been lost to the invasive emerald ash borer. Less canopy welcomes increased invasive species presence and less wildlife habitat, among other concerns.

This was just one of several plantings this spring as part of the ongoing USFS GLRI grant the District was awarded in 2023, and the volunteers were part of the larger I Love My Park Day annual event coordinated by Parks & Trails New York and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

Thank you to all the volunteers to helped out this weekend, including those from Braddock Bay Raptor Research and Genesee Valley Audubon Society!

05/04/2026

Management Monday: Proper mulching practices!

We think the weather is getting warmer, so maybe it's time to think about our gardening and native planting. As you begin planting them, one of the most important aspects of planting is proper mulching.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation graphic says it best: DO create a loose donut, DON'T create a mulch volcano. Volcano mulching results in increased chances of decay, rodent and insect diseases and damage, and even death of the tree if too much mulch is applied.

Having the wrong amount of mulch can lead to unsuccessful planting yields and can damage already established trees or plants in your bed. A good rule of thumb is having a 2" - 4" layer in your bed. The thicker the layer the better, as it will block out sunlight, thus preventing unwanted w**d growth and competition. If you battle heavy w**d infestations every year laying down a layer of newspaper before mulching may not be a bad idea.

When deciding between organic or inorganic mulch both stunt w**d growth if applied right, but only organic mulch will enrich your soil as it breaks down over time. Organic mulch will have to be applied again each year in order to maintain the effect of stopping w**ds. Common organic materials used include grass clippings, shredded leaves, shaved wood, and pine needles. Make sure you know where your mulch is coming from so not to bring unwanted or invasive species to your property.

04/30/2026

Volunteers still needed for this Saturday!

Join Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Genesee Valley Audubon Society, and Braddock Bay Raptor Research on Saturday May 2nd at 10am for a morning of tree planting!

We will be planting over 140 bare root trees to combat the effects of the emerald ash borer in the Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area.

Meet at the Cranberry Trailhead East at the corner of Lowden Point Rd and Shoreway Dr. For more information please reference the post graphic.

Register here: https://ptny.psee.io/8w2y8f

04/29/2026

Thank you to everyone who ordered from our annual Tree & Shrub Conservation Program this year! After distributing over 700 orders last week our staff are feeling like the red fox kit in today's highlight. But the tree work doesn't stop as over 2,700 trees are going to be planted in the next couple weeks as part of our ongoing reforestation project! In the meantime though, let's talk about one of our native fox species.

Today we're highlighting the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Now is the time you will be seeing red fox kits out and about exploring their new world. These kits are very social with each other spending their days playing with each other and waiting for mom and dad to return with food. Adult foxes mate in winter, and the female will build a den immediately following mating. Females are able to give birth to between one and twelve kits.

Red foxes are known to be very smart animals and have adapted well to the urban boom in our country, partly due to the loss of larger predators who pushed away by continued human development. Commonly found on woodland edges, they will readily eat whatever is available, but prefer rodents and rabbits.

Similar to grey foxes, red foxes can be distinguished by their white-tipped tail. Grey fox have black-tipped tails. Their bark can sometimes be haunting to hear at night, and have often been mistaken for someone in trouble.

Have you seen any fox kits yet this year?

04/28/2026

04/23/2026

Missed out on pre-ordering this year?

Our overstock sale will be this Saturday at the Monroe County ecopark from 9am until 11am or earlier if all items sell out.

Please park on the opposite end of the building from the entrance following the tree program signs.

04/21/2026

Wondering what was up with the snow yesterday?

Something tells us it was the surprise arrival of our new Tree & Shrub program mascot!

If you pre-ordered from us this year you can thank him in person for the late April snow when you pick up your orders this week Thursday (4/23) or Friday (4/24) at the Monroe County ecopark (10 Avion Dr Rochester, NY 14624) from 9am until 5pm.

04/09/2026

Join Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Genesee Valley Audubon Society, and Braddock Bay Raptor Research on Saturday May 2nd at 10am for a morning of tree planting!

We will be planting over 140 bare root trees to combat the effects of the emerald ash borer in the Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area.

Meet at the Cranberry Trailhead East at the corner of Lowden Point Rd and Shoreway Dr. For more information please reference the post graphic.

Register here: https://ptny.psee.io/8w2y8f

04/08/2026

For today's we are highlighting one of our earliest emerging butterfly species: the mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa)!

Mourning cloak butterflies emerge around mid-March. Unlike most butterflies, they overwinter as adults instead of larvae, using the protection of bark, logs, or building crevices. Once temps are high enough and they emerge, they will spend the majority or all of spring mating and laying eggs. These eggs become the next generation of adults spending the summer and fall months doing the same. Adult males defend large territories, up to 300 sq. ft, and patrol all day. Instead of flowers, mourning cloaks prefer tree sap or rotting fruit. Host species for the larvae include willows and poplars.

Mourning cloak butterflies can be seen on warm, sunny spring days and are a rusty brown color with yellow bordering on the wings surrounded by beautiful blue dots. They can be found throughout the United States often in forest, along streams, and in fields.

Have you seen any of these butterflies yet this spring? If not, we bet they will be out this weekend!