SMETHPORT (EC) — The McKean County Conservation District celebrated Arbor Day Friday by sponsoring the “My Growing Tree” program for first graders at the Smethport Area Elementary School.

These students, as well as students in all county elementary schools, received an Eastern Hemlock seedling and a poster with charts for the students to track their height compared to the height of their tree seedling.

A grant from the United Way funded the purchase of the tree seedlings and charts in Smethport, Bradford and Port Allegany.

Staff members from the McKean County Conservation District spoke at all schools about the importance of Arbor Day and how trees help protect and improve our environment. Heather McKean and Lindsay Shine were also presenters Friday. Students learned about the history of Arbor Day, as well as the important role trees have in nature.

Stan Hess, volunteer and retired forester of the Bureau of Forestry in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, taught the students that the Eastern Hemlock is Pennsylvania’s state tree, and discussed the parts of the tree. He also discussed how to plant a tree and led the students in an activity that illustrates how forests are renewable, which points out that cutting trees is not bad when practiced in a sustainable manner.

McKean County commissioner Carol Duffy was present to help the students recite a pledge to conserve our natural resources and work for a cleaner and healthier McKean County. County commissioner Cliff Lane also assisted with the pledge in other schools.

Arbor Day is always the last Friday in April. For more information about Arbor Day or tree planting, visitwww.arborday.org.