Volunteers are needed for a sugar pine tree planting party at Zephyr Cove Park from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday hosted by the Sugar Pine Foundation.

Planting instructions, seedlings and tools will be provided, although volunteers are encouraged to bring their own shovels and trowels if possible. Kids are welcome.

This spring, the foundation hopes to plant 4,000 resistant sugar pine seedlings in the Tahoe Basin. Another planting event is planned for May 1 at Zephyr Cove Park.

“Save the Sugar Pines” is the foundation's motto. Established in 2004, the South Lake Tahoe-based nonprofit is dedicated to counteracting the threat of white pine blister rust. The organization capitalizes on nature's genetic diversity to restore white pines in the Tahoe region and beyond. The group identifies trees that are genetically resistant to the blister rust fungus, then collects their seed and plants their progeny.

Since 2005, the foundation has reforested 100 acres with 8,000 sugar pine seedlings.

For more information, visit www.sugarpinefoundation.org.

If you go: What: Sugar Pine planting party When: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday Where: Zephyr Cover Park; park at the Zephyr Cove Library, 233 Warrior Way, and meet at the first tee of the frisbee golf course