Discover Green Marble Falls seeks volunteers to add color to Inks Lake State Park
HOOVER’S VALLEY — In February, volunteers with Discover Green Marble Falls planted more than 100 trees at Inks Lake State Park to help replace many lost in the extensive drought. On April 20, the organization returns to the park to add a dash of color.
“This month, we are planting pollinator gardens,” said Gabe Jones, founder of Discover Green Marble Falls. “That means we are planting native perennial plants that attract butterflies and other insects to pollinate plants. We will plant them in beds around the trees. This will look nice and protect the trees by making a garden area around them.”
Volunteers and other organizations such as Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts are always welcome to help out. The program is 9 a.m.-noon at the park, 3630 Park Road 4. People who are assisting should check in at the park’s front gate for directions to the volunteer location. There is no entrance fee for those assisting in the endeavor.
Jones, a home-schooled 11-year-old, founded Discover Green Marble Falls last year as a way to help the local environment and encourage others to get outdoors. The group has hosted several workdays, including cleaning up Westside Park in Marble Falls, planting vegetable containers at The Helping Center of Marble Falls and putting in trees at Inks Lake State Park.
The youth has enjoyed the process of organizing events, though he admitted it can be challenging. Still, Jones said he is undaunted.
“I have learned that it can be a slow process getting events set up and volunteers to come, but the community has been really supportive,” he said. “More and more families have been coming each time. People in the community have offered to help my group, and I have had the chance to meet many adults who do environmental projects through my events.”
As for the Inks Lake State Park project, Jones said all people need to do is show up and be willing to get a little dirty.
“They don’t need to bring anything,” Jones said. “We will supply the tools and gloves.”
To learn more about Discover Green Marble Falls and its projects, check out the organization’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/DiscoverGreenMarbleFalls.
daniel@thepicayune.com