VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDFED FOR FOREST WORK

Volunteers are being sought to help with a forest restoration project near the Meramec River on May 1.

Southeast Missouri State University ecologist Alan Journet says the project involves restoring bottomland forest to an old area of farmland in Meramec State Park. The objective, said Journet, is to promote a forest composed of tree species present before European settlement.

Over the winter, Journet and others grew several hundred tree seedlings that will be planted at the site.

Local Sierra Club members, university students, 4-H members from Festus and high school students from Sullivan are planning to participate. Any other interested person is welcome.

The group plans to leave early on May 1 and return later the same day. Anyone interested in more information about the project should contact Journet at 651-2366 or 651-4182.