LINCOLN, N.E.  (March 13, 2008)  This month more than 3,600 Fourth Grade Foresters all across New Mexico will  roll up their sleeves and plant a tree.  The kids will become members of Fourth Grade Foresters of New Mexico.  The project goal is to help revitalize a remarkable idea--observation of Arbor Day in America’s schools.  This Friday all 170 Fourth Graders at Grady, Melrose and Texico Elementary Schools in Clovis will become Fourth Grade Foresters thanks to Central Curry Soil and Water Conservation District.

 

 

“Our District is pleased to support a program that stresses the importance of protecting our natural resources,” Cindy Wall spokesperson for Central Curry Soil and Water Conservation District said.  “Our goal is to continue to work with our community to protect and conserve our resources for future generations.”

 

Fourth Grade Foresters USA was created to provide a simple and inexpensive way for any individual, business or organization to send the 4th Grade students at an elementary school home with a tree of their own to plant and care for.  Each fourth grader receives an individually packaged 12”-18” evergreen tree seedling sealed in a polybag by workers with disabilities. Each package will include information about New Mexico’s Arbor Day, planting and care instructions, and the name of its sponsor.  

 

“This project is made possible because of agencies like the Central Curry Soil and Water Conservation District covered the cost of each of the individually packaged evergreen trees, so that there is no cost to the students, the teachers, the school, or the taxpayer,”  Debra Ersch, Cofounder of the Project stated.  “It’s a great way for business people, organizations, government agencies and individuals to show their support for the community, education and the environment.”

 

 

Now in the era of global warming and air pollution, tree planting is even more important than ever.  Trees take carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere to help reduce warming and clean the air we breathe.  Planting trees is a simple, inexpensive and easy way to address the problem.  For more information about the Fourth Grade Foresters for New Mexico Project, please call 402-475-5507 or visit the www.freetreesandplants.com website.