1,300 Trees planted in partnership with Bonn Place Brewing of South Bethlehem

The Bethlehem Authority and Bonn Place Brewing in South Bethlehem partnered in a tree planting project on Bethlehem Authority Watershed property in Monroe County. The planting, originally scheduled for April 20th during the week of Earth Day, was held on Monday, May 11th, with the planting of 1,300 Hybrid Larch trees. 

After determining what their business carbon footprint was, Sam Masotto and Kevin Geidasch decided they should do something about it. It was Kevin's idea to hold a fundraiser, Tattoos For Trees, which was held on August 20, 2019 at Bonn Place Brewing. Tree/beer themed tattoos were offered to all attendees and an amazing $2,600 was raised during the event. 

When it came time to figure out where to plant trees that would potentially offset their carbon footprint, they turned to a friend and customer, Steve Repasch, Executive Director of the Bethlehem Authority. What a better way to offset their carbon footprint than to plant trees in the watershed that ultimately protects the most important ingredient in their product, HIGH QUALITY BETHLEHEM WATER. 

Repasch then went to the Authority's Consulting Forester, Robin Wildermuth of Woodland Management Services, and found a three acre site on the property that was slated for a planting at a later date anyway. Wildermuth determined that the most appropriate tree to plant that would offer the fastest return in terms of growth rate and carbon capture is a Larch hybrid, a conifer that sheds its needles every fall. This species is able to sequester more carbon than all other types of conifers in its lifetime. Site preparation at the Authority's expense, with assistance from the City's staff at Wild Creek, took place last fall. 

On Monday, May 11th, volunteers from Bonn Place, along with City Staff, the Authority's Forester Robin Wildermuth and his wife Cindy, and the Authority's Executive Director, completed the project by planting all 1,300 hybrid larch seedlings on the watershed property. The planting was carried out using social distancing and masks to comply with the COVID-19 Guidelines. 

All involved enjoyed the day even though it was interrupted by cold wind-blown rain showers, and at times, hail. All felt the experience and its anticipated outcome to be highly rewarding.