Friends of Lake Livingston received a $1,000 grant from Operation Round Up contributions to continue improving the health of Lake Livingston and the wildlife that live there.
“Friends of Lake Livingston is a fully volunteer nonprofit organization with over 200 student and adult volunteers across five counties around lake Livingston,” said Beth Miller, Friends of Lake Livingston Communications Director. “The project is into its fifth year, and expects to continue indefinitely as an eco-recovery effort creating self-sustaining riparian and aquatic habitat on Texas’ second-largest lake.”
The check was awarded on Thurs., Aug. 15, while 20 volunteers planted over 1,700 plants in a protected cove inside the Carolina Creek Christian Camp.
“The team included members of Piney Woods Lake and Heartwood Master Naturalists, SJC Master Gardeners, Lee College Horticulture instructors, Trinity River Authority and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department,” Miller said.
On a sandbar peninsula in the area, the group planted American water willow, hyssop, bulrush, sea oat grasses and water lilies, and set pens of wire and t-posts to help the plants establish strong root systems when first planted.
“The penning increases the survival rates (of the plants) when the water level fluctuates,” Miller said.
Miller went on to mention that this area was flooded in June under five feet of water.
“A rock/gravel bluff across from the sandbar was planted with 20 buttonbushes, 50 bald cypress, cherry bark oak and pecan trees to decrease bluff and shoreline erosion by creating a strong root barrier,” Miller said.
Friends of Lake Livingston works with eight local school districts, Master Naturalist chapters and other volunteers to grow plants that will stabilize shorelines and reduce erosion. The plants provide ideal habitat for fingerling fish as well.
The nonprofit also works with Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Ellis Unit inmates to grow additional plants through Lee College’s Horticulture Program at the unit.
The grant provided funds for plant pots, soil and other supplies for growing more plants.
Learn more about Friends of Lake Livingston at their website, friendsoflakelivingston.net, or join their next planting on Sept. 13 at Sam Houston State University’s Bearkat Camp on Lake Livingston.
Sam Houston EC members can support other nonprofits in East Texas by joining Operation Round Up. Participating members' bills will be rounded up, and the spare change will support nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life in our 10-county service area.
