To the Editor:

If you’ve driven down Canaday Hill Road, adjacent to the town’s highway garage, you may have noticed a series of new plantings: An Autumn Blaze maple, two Canada Red Select cherry trees, a couple of Arrow Wood Viburnum, and three European serviceberry shrubs.

Berne’s Conservation Board, led by Sue Hawkes-Teeter, determined to landscape the area cleared last fall by the town’s highway crew. Their intent was to provide an attractive landscape that could be home to birds and other non-intrusive wildlife, provide some shade, and enhance the view of the distant hills.

Under Sue’s direction, they appraised the area, then researched species that would do well in the available soil, were hardy enough to withstand extreme conditions, and would meet the criteria outlined above.  She contacted several nurseries, landscape managers, and biologists for advice before making her final selection.  The Berne Town Board readily agreed with her initiative, approved her quotes, and arrangements for the plantings were made.

A morning’s worth of weeding, raking, and picking up rubbish provided an area cleared and ready for planting. On Wednesday, June 15, the trees and shrubs were set in place.   

I would like to thank Sue and the Conservation Board for their generous donation of time and energy to help beautify the area. Thanks are also extended to Peter Becker and Randy Bashwinger who kindly moved the large boulders blocking the area.

Stop by and take a look; it is a lovely addition that will only become more beautiful as time goes by.

Karen Schimmer, Town Board Liaison

Town Of Berne Conservation Board