Over 300 trees planted on North Cocopah Reservation
Mother Nature got a large boost on Saturday as the Cocopah Environmental Protection Office and others gathered to plant over 300 trees at the Cocopah’s Tribe’s North Reservation along the Colorado River.
According to Frank Venegas, EPO Director for the Cocopah Indian Tribe, the tree planting was phase three in a plan to restore the area. He explained that due to an invasive species called tamarisk, or salt cedar, the land became scrapped of the plants that used to thrive in the area.
“Today were are trying to do a revegetation process to restore it back to its natural condition,” he explained. “We are planting cottonwood trees, willow tress and mesquite trees to help restore it back to the way it used to be before the invasive species were introduced to the area. As the salt cedar came in, it turned the soils into a selenitytype soil where the natural trees cannot survive in the area anymore.”
Phase one, he added, included removing the invasive salt cedar species. Next, he said soil remediation took place in which water was applied to the soil to try and “leech all the salt.”
However, Venegas noted that the soil conditions are still harsh so the planting had to be done strategically, such as planting more mesquite trees which are more “hardy” and likely to survive.
The next phase includes maintenance of the trees that were planted on Saturday as well as planting more trees from the tribe’s nursery. Additionally, Venegas said the tribe will work to remove phragmites along the river bank in order to add more plants.
While there is still much work to be done, Venegas noted that the tree planting was a huge step in the project.
“Right now is the perfect timing for them,” he said. “The weather conditions are permitting. It’s not too hot, it’s not too cold-we passed the freeze warning. Within the next sixth months we should be able to see the survivors and the ones that actually took. Hopefully by next year we will have a nice canopy of trees in this area which can provide a lot of shade and possibly access to the river.”
“Ultimately, the goal is to have the trees dropping seeds by next year so we can use them and just continue planting in each direction,” he added.
Cocopah Girls Scouts from Troop 1323, a youth group form The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and tribal members all gathered to plant the trees. In total, about 200 were in attendance for the restoration effort.
“This type of event is an important one for the Cocopah Indian Tribe because we have a lot of volunteers that can do a lot of work in a one day setting,” Venegas said. “It also increases community outreach and is a great part of culture and tradition.”
As part of the day’s activities, children from the church group also got to learn about Shinny, a traditional Cocopah sport similar to field hockey. Shinny players demonstrated the game for the young helpers.
The trees that were planted, notes Venegas, are also to be used to carry on traditions such as the sport.
“For it, we use sticks that are made out of willow,” he said. “That’s why it’s important for us to restore the natural habitat and get the willow. Those are our traditional woods.”
Rosa Long, councilwoman for the Cocopah Tribe, stressed that the day not only benefited the environment, but that it brought youth out to engage with others.
“This has been in the making for some time,” she said. “It’s really refreshing to see so many young people willing to come out and help on a Saturday-no less outdoors and working together as a group. One of the goals of the Cocopah Indian Tribe is to bring the Colorado back to its natural state and there are a lot of organizations that are working along with the Cocopah Tribe that are making this possible. It takes a lot of hard work and it’s not just for us-it’s for everybody to enjoy.”
John Nelson with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints noted that he and his wife reached out to the tribe for a project they could get their youth involved in as part of their yearly conference. Venegas responded with the planting, and the church group brought together over 180 teen volunteers, from the Yuma and El Centro church groups, to help with the project.
“Maybe twenty years from now they can come by this area and say ‘I was part of that-the revegetation project along the Colorado River,’” Nelson said.
Esperanza Rivera-Gomez, a 17-year-old member of the church youth group, said that she felt like it was a bonding experience as well.
“It’s kind of like us joining to be friends because I’ve never done anything like this and I’ve never done anything with the Cocopah people,” she noted. “I think it’s really cool and interesting that we get to help them.”
In addition, Taleena Garcia, leader of Girl Scout Troop 1323, said about three girls scouts from the troopa Brownie, a Junior and a Cadet, all came together and earned their tree planting badge.
“This is their land because they are all Cocopah,” she said. “Doing this community event really got them out there to show that they appreciate what they are and who they are going to become.”