Locals will have a tree-mendous opportunity to pick up new skills and lend a hand to local environmental causes Wednesday, courtesy of the Cass County Conservation District.

The local environmental agency will host a tree care workshop and volunteer pizza party from 6 to 8:30 p.m. that evening, in the MSU Extension meeting room on the second floor of the county annex, located at 120 N. Broadway St., Cassopolis. The event is free to attend.

Doors for the event open at 6 p.m., where visitors may enjoy free pizza. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Jeffrey Steinkraus, owner of Steinkraus Forestry and noted local forester, will offer tips to visitors on how to properly care for trees. He will give lessons on proper tree planting, how to select the right species for one’s soil/property and discuss how to tend to the plants.

“He will show how people can successfully plant and tend to their trees, so that not only will they take root, but eventually begin producing fruit,” said Kimberly Barton, outreach educator with the conservation district.

Following the end of Steinkraus’ presentation, Barton will discuss the conservation district’s ongoing efforts to combat invasive plant species in the county. Afterwards, Erez Brandvain, with the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program, will share how local farmers can benefit from MAEAP certification.

Visitors will also learn more about how they can volunteer with the conservation district.

Steinkraus’ talk stems nicely into the conservation district’s annual tree sale.

People may place orders for the tree sale through Friday, April 7. Interested customers may find a catalog listing the different species for sale at the conservation district website, at cassccdistrict.org, or can pick one up in person at the conservation district office, at 1127 E. State St., Cassopolis.

Customers may pick up whatever plants they order from April 20 through 22 at the Cass County COA Lowe Center, located at 60525 Decatur Road, Cassopolis. People who did not place a preorder may purchase any extra trees during those three days, Barton said.

The tree sale is one of the major fundraisers for the Cass County Conservation District. The agency uses the money to pay for many of its programs, including environmental certification for county farms and soil testing, Barton said.

The district is also focused on fighting invasive plant species, such as the Japanese knotweed (also known as Michigan bamboo), which has roots that grow as long as 60 feet and can cause damage to the foundation of homes, Barton said. The district, along with other conservation agencies in Berrien and Van Buren counties, are informing residents of these species and asking for help to mark locations where they are found.

In addition to education, Wednesday’s event also serves as a way to introduce the conservation district to residents who may not be familiar with the agency, Barton said.

The district is always in need of volunteers, who help officials with everything from April’s tree sale to the ongoing invasive species mapping project, Barton said. People can sign up to volunteer with the district during Wednesday’s event.

“We can always work around their schedules and find something they are interested in,” Barton said.

People are asked to RVSP for Wednesday’s workshop by calling District Manager Korie Blyveis at (269) 445-8641, ext. 5.