In an effort to promote sustainability and encourage the reuse of wood pieces, the Ames Parks and Recreation Department will offer its first ever “Wood Pile Salvage Day” from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Parks Maintenance Facility, 700 E. 13th St.

City staff will be pulling pieces of wood from the debris pile to set aside for viewing and self-hauling. There will be a variety of species including elm, hackberry, ash, oak, maple, walnut, and spruce. The wood originates from trees that were removed by City staff or City-hired contractors. The pile includes trunks, branches, and large usable tree pieces.

The pieces curated by Parks and Recreation staff will include butt logs (the trunk and root flare), response wood (wood that grows over an injury), and branch unions as well as straight pieces for planks. All wood pieces are free and must be claimed and removed during the event. Staff will be able to assist loading wood into vehicles. Mulch is also available.

Participants should be prepared to take the entire piece of wood.