East Woods Reforestation Begins

Yesterday marked the official start day of an ambitious project to reforest the open ground at Antietam National Battlefield that was originally part of the East Woods. I was proud that my son Jim Rosebrock elected as his Boy Scout Eagle project, to plant trees in the East Woods. He with several other groups are the first ones to plant trees on the grounds south of the current East Woods. Jim, age 17, brought eighteen boys and parents from Boy Scout Troop 279 in Point of Rocks Maryland. Antietam Ranger Joe Calzarette taught the boys how to properly plant the trees and for the next few hours, the work went forward. In time I am told, there will be some 11,000 trees planted. We made a good start putting around 120 trees into the ground yesterday. Afterward, the folks from Troop 279 got to watch Antietam's volunteer artillery battery, Battery B, 4th US Artillery firing their Model 1857 Napolean behind the Mumma Farm House as the boys consumed a mountain of pizzas. It was a great day!

The Western Maryland Interpretive Association (WMIA) is accepting donations for this effort in the Museum Bookstore at the Visitor's Center. If you want to get physical and actually plant some trees, you can schedule this by contacting Joe at his email: Joe_Calzarette@nps.gov.