Town of Hempstead residents turn their trees into mulch

Posted

Residents in the Town of Hempstead came together on Jan. 11 to celebrate sustainability at the 5th annual Mulchfest, turning their Christmas trees into mulch and helping the environment while feeding some friendly goats. 

The event, held at Veterans Memorial Park in East Meadow, invited residents to bring their natural Christmas trees to be shredded into mulch for personal use or donated as snacks for the Nigerian Dwarf goats at Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve. 

“Mulchfest is back for the fifth year in a row, and the goats at Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve are bleating in excitement,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said ahead of the event. “This holiday tradition sees scores of residents turning their Christmas trees into mulch, with each year getting better and better.” 

During the event, natural Christmas trees were recycled into mulch, which can be used in gardening and landscaping. The shredded trees provided residents with eco-friendly mulch to take home or to support community landscaping projects. 

Mulchfest promotes eco-friendly practices by preventing discarded trees from going to landfills and repurposing them in ways that benefit the environment, such as improving soil health, retaining moisture, and reducing weeds.

Levy Park and Preserve is the Town of Hempstead’s nature preserve, that boasts trials and panoramic views of the South Shore of Long Island, along with piers for fishing and a kayak launch. About 20 years ago, the town introduced the park’s newest inhabitants — Nigerian Dwarf goats, who would serve as natural weed control, as well as a friendly face at the base of the park’s entrance.

Christmas trees — despite their piney needles — are quite the delicacy for the goats.

The event gave families the opportunity to extend the season of giving by repurposing their trees into nutrient-rich mulch for gardening and moisture retention. Attendees received free bags of mulch or chose to donate the mulch to the town’s goats. Broken-down cardboard was also accepted and recycled during the event. 

For those unable to attend Mulchfest, Christmas trees can still be dropped off at the homeowner disposal area next to Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve at 1600 Merrick Road through Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

“The Town of Hempstead proudly stands for greener and environmentally friendly programs,” Clavin said.   

The surplus mulch created during Mulchfest will be used for landscaping and planting projects throughout Hempstead Town’s parks, ensuring that residents’ contributions support the community year-round.