KENNEBUNKPORT — The Kennebunk Conservation Trust is looking for volunteers next week to help restore wetlands in the Smith Preserve. More than 2,000 trees and shrubs need to be planted in the field at the preserve.

“We’ll be planting starting Tuesday afternoon and continuing through the week, so stop by and bring a friend. It’s going to be beautiful all week,” said Pam Morgan, KCT board member and Emeritus Professor at University of New England.

This is part of a significant wetland conservation project by KCT, partnering with Flycatcher LLC, UNE and the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program, which funded the grant. The Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program awards competitive grants to projects that restore, enhance, and protect high priority aquatic resources throughout Maine.

Community volunteers will work with the partners to get the native wetland shrubs and trees planted. This phase of the project introduces a massive volume of native flora to stabilize soils, improve local water quality, and establish vital habitat for regional wildlife.

“With thousands of plants to get into the ground, we are incredibly grateful for the energy and hands brought by UNE students and our community volunteers,” Morgan said in a news release. “This  collaborative effort represents a significant step forward in restoring this land to a functioning wetland. Please come join us for our planting party.”

Morgan added that the holes have already been dug, so the work will go quickly.

Planting will take place from Wednesday, Oct. 21, to Friday, Oct. 23. For more information, go to https://www.kporttrust.org/events to sign up.