Oxford volunteers look forward to beginning phase two of a project that began last October at Thacker Mountain Trails.

The Native Plant Planting event is set to began at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.  Volunteers will plant native plants on a retaining wall behind Faulkner Flats Apartment complex, which is adjacent to Thacker Mountain Trails.

“These plants will beautify the buffer zone and help to feed native birds and other wildlife,” said Jason Hoeksema, co-organizer of the Native Plant Planting event.

Kristin Lamberson, organizer of the event, will be providing hundreds of native plants from the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center.

According to Lamberson, the native plants will vary based on selection of species, wildlife benefit and seasonal interest.

“Plants that are drought tolerant will go on top of the retaining wall such as Little Bluestem, Bee Balm and Purple Coneflower,” Lamberson said. “Areas that flood during rain events, we will plant River Oats, Soft Rush, Swamp Milkweed and Louisiana Iris.”

Lamberson hopes that volunteers have a positive experience of knowing they are contributing their time and sweat to a worthy cause of enhancing an area with plants that are beautiful, benefit wildlife and are hugely underused in the landscaping design world.

“It’s a community thing,” Lamberson said.

There will be more planting events at this site in the future, and dates will be announced soon.

Volunteers have been asked to bring a small shovel or trowel and a friend! Information for future dates and events can be found on Strawberry Plains Audubon Center Facebook page.