Partners in Education: Appreciating Nature
Presented by Shopko Foundation:
PULASKI - About a week ago, the entire nation celebrated Earth Day, a day to recognize all that nature has to offer. But at one elementary school in Pulaski, every day is earth day! That's because Fairview Elementary School offers something that most schools do not.
"We're lucky enough at Fairview to have an on-site, 11-acre state registered school forest," said School Forest Coordinator Jonathan Wood.
The forest is described as one of the school's greatest assets, but in the late 60s and early 70s, the entire area looked like farmland. The forest was planted by students through the state's School Forest Program, who planted seedlings from the state nursery.
"We actually have parents of students now who were students back then who actually planted some of the trees you can see around us right now," said Wood.
These days, students at Fairview are able to enjoy nature on a daily basis.
"We really care for our school forest, because it's nature - and we love nature. It's just really nice to be in here. We're lucky to have something like this," said 5th grader Kiara Komoroski.
Students say the forest has helped them to learn the importance of caring for the earth.
"Well, if you don' take care of it, I'm assuming that most of the trees will die.. and then you won't have a forest," said fifth-grader Nathan Przybylski.
Both students and staff say they will continue to preserve the forest, and make Fairview a place where nature and learning go hand in hand.
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