The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation celebrated Earth Week and Arbor Day with a special event in the borough.
The DEC invited the public to help spruce up the landscaping at Staten Island’s Old Place Creek Access Site which provides access to wildlife habitat.
About thirty Volunteers worked with DEC staff Friday to plant native trees using imported top soil. They also removed invasive plants.
"We're trying to improve this site. It's a site we have had for a number of years. Last year we were able to put in this accessible boat ramp and wildlife viewing platform and now we are trying to improve the habitat at the site by planting native trees that can be used by all sorts of different wildlife that are native here to Staten Island,"said Susan Maresca, Habitat Restoration Program Manager, NY State DEC.
Organizers say the group will come back periodically to maintain the area.
The site is open to the public from dawn to dusk.