Local School Celebrates Arbor Day

Hofstetter Elementary School in Colville hosted an interactive tree planting demonstration on April 24 for kindergarten, first, and second grades. Manulife Investment Management, a forestry restoration association, hosted the event, with members Mike Garringer and Matt Johnson assisting the students. 

Johnson and Garringer spoke with two classes at a time, discussing why trees can be important for the environment. Johnson then used a seedling to demonstrate the anatomy of a tree to the student body, as well as showing how to place the seedlings into the paper cups provided. Johnson and Garringer then instructed students to gather in lines at table stations to collect a paper cup and fill them with dirt and a seedling. After the students planted their trees in the cups, they were taught how to water them and how to plant them at home on their own. Garringer explained this tradition started only a few years ago with parents wanting to teach their children about forestry at a young age. “A couple years ago, some parents who worked at Boise Cascade got a-hold of me to put this on at the school,” Garringer stated. “I contacted the school again this year to see if we could do this again.” Hofstetter staff were enthusiastic to accept this request, eager to keep this special event an annual occurrence.” 

“We try to plan this every year,” said Kim Moorhead, Hofstetter office secretary. “We try to schedule this on the Friday around Arbor day or Earth day week.”