Areas badly damaged from the 2024 Davis Fire will receive a facelift this month thanks to numerous volunteers from the community and donated trees from Moana Nursery.
Davis Creek Regional Park will receive 150 Jeffrey pine trees, and the St. James Village neighborhood adjacent to the park that suffered widespread fire damage will receive an additional 150 trees, donated along with soil additives and fertilizer from Moana Nursery.
“Jeffrey pines are a resilient and ecologically valuable choice for restoring fire-damaged high-desert landscapes,” said Deanna Gescheider, Director of Community Engagement at Moana Nursery. “They’re naturally adapted to the region’s dry, rocky soils and can withstand harsh temperature swings, making them ideal for long-term recovery and stabilization after wildfire.”
Davis Creek will welcome 40 pre-registered volunteers to plant the trees, while numerous volunteers have signed up to plant the trees in the community areas of St. James Village.
“The outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming,” Washoe County Park Ranger Nick Steuer said. “We have had numerous individuals lined up to help with this replanting project for months, and we were just waiting for the right weather and season to get these trees in the ground. Davis Creek will be well on its way to recovery after this incredible project.”
According to Moana Nursery, planting in the fall gives young trees the best start — cooler temperatures and seasonal moisture help roots establish before the heat and drought of summer return.
Visitors were able to return to portions of the park this past September, including the day-use area and Ophir Creek trailhead. The campground remains closed until further notice. The Nevada Division of Forestry has assisted in clearing dangerous fire-damaged trees and volunteers have planted native seedlings and replaced burnt split rail fencing. Park Ranger Andy Brown, whose house in Davis Creek Regional Park was lost to the fire, was restationed at nearby Bowers Mansion Regional Park.
No additional volunteers are needed at this time, but to learn more about Davis Creek Park, visit www.washoecounty.gov/parks, and follow Washoe County Parks’ Facebook page to learn about future volunteer opportunities.
