By Jamie Folsom
Berthoud Recorder

If you have land that’s 2.5 acres or more, The Big Thompson Water District has seedlings for sale to keep your soil in place, and provide protection from noise, wind and snow.

Dirk Banks of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy said the seedling sales program benefits both the water district and those who are looking to improve their properties. “This program makes it affordable to buy large quantities of useable trees,” he said, noting although the plantings can’t be used for landscaping, they can be used for noise barriers, windbreaks and snow fences, among other uses.

“Soil conservation is the main purpose and to keep the cycle going,” he said. “But it increases benefits to everything around it.”

Banks said the small potted and bare root seedlings come in a large variety from such staples as aspen, blue spruce and narrow leaf cottonwood, to lilacs, ash and burr oak, all of which are highly successful in Colorado’s dry climate.

Banks added the 50-seedling packages come with planting brochures to help property owners decide where their plantings will be most effective.

Seedlings are on sale through April 1. For more information and to get an application for purchase, contact Big Thompson Conservation District Manager Lisa Butler at (970) 667-1052.