Grow where you're planted

ML students take home trees to plant in celebration of National Arbor Day

MOSES LAKE —

One hundred thirty-three years and many trees later, the legacy left by J. Sterling Morton still reaches communities across the nation and world, including the Columbia Basin, in celebration of National Arbor Day.

For students like fifth-grader Connor Wytko, today will be a day he will not soon forget as he heads home with a baby Syringa Tree to plant, just one way many students his age are making a difference in their communities.

"If they're gone, we're gone," said Wytko of the dependence between trees and humans.

After hearing a presentation by Conservation District Education Coordinator, Sally Hubbs, Wytko and other students are going home with a new message for their families.

"A lot of animals depend on trees," said student Angela Manderville. " … the only way we can stay alive is by trees and plants."

National Arbor Day, originally founded in 1872 by Morton to bring a greener color and wind breaks to the landscape of Nebraska, began with the planting of more than 1 million trees.

Today, each state has a different Arbor Day that coordinates with the varying climates and growing seasons found throughout the United States.

Continuing the message which was first inspired by Morton is also important to teachers like Nancy Hanson.

"Students need to feel ownership and pride in their neighborhood and how humans affect different parts of nature," she said.

Since 2003, Hubbs has been making presentations in celebration of National Arbor Day, something she wants students to take home and share with their parents and know that no matter what their age they can make a difference.

"They're the ones that take the information home to their parents and get them excited about planting," she said, referring to students.

As the Basin is heavily dependent on agricultural commodities, Hubbs echoed Morton's message that trees provide much needed wind breaks for crops and help to keep the soil from blowing away.

"It's very important to have an appreciation and understanding of trees and plants and how they relate to our world," said Hubbs.

Hubbs said she sees trends in the Basin that show people are becoming more aware of their environment, mentioning an increase in habitat planning among community groups and in park areas.

"Starting them at a young age like this, it starts to make them aware of the world around them," said Hubbs of students.