Conservation district stages My Growing Tree program
The McKean County Conservation District (MCCD) spent the last week celebrating Arbor Day by sponsoring the My Growing Tree program throughout the county.
With the assistance of Jesse Monroe from Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry; Stan Hess, volunteer from DCNR, Bureau of Forestry; and Generations Forestry, 500 first- or second-grade students in each of the public schools were given a white oak seedling along with a poster that includes charts to enable the students to monitor their own height as well as the growth of their tree.
District staff members and DCNR staff spoke about the importance of Arbor Day and how trees help to protect and improve water resources.
Students learned about the water cycle and the different ways trees help decrease pollution in streams by providing a protective barrier called a riparian buffer and by sta-MCCD bilizing streambanks with their roots.
Students learned the parts of the tree.
Presenters also discussed how to plant a tree and conducted an activity that illustrates how forests are renewable, which points out that cutting trees is not bad when practiced in a sustainable manner.
Kids recited a pledge to conserve our natural resources and to work for a cleaner and healthier McKean County. Seneca Resources Co. LLC donated $2,500 toward the delivery of the ‘My Growing Tree’ program.
‘We are very grateful for the continued support we have received from Seneca Resources,’ said Sandy Thompson, MCCD district manager.
Seneca Resources Co.
LLC, the exploration and production segment of National Fuel Gas Co., explores for, develops and purchases natural gas and oil reserves in the Appalachian Region.
For more information, visit nationalfuelgas.com.
Arbor Day is always the last Friday in April.
For more information on Arbor Day or tree planting, visit arborday.org.
First-graders at Otto-Eldred Elementary School were among 500 first- or second- grade students in the county’s public schools to receive a white oak tree seedling through the McKean County Conservation District.
