Mentor Students Discover Importance of Trees

Over a three-week span, first grade students in Mentor are learning how vital trees are to our world.

Lake Metroparks "Trees For Wildlife" program brings presentations into various elementary schools to teach children the importance of trees to the environment.

The program, in its 25th year, tests students' knowledge of trees and uses interactive presentations to tell them about different wildlife.

The mascot, Woody, a giant tree goes into the classroom to help guide the lessons.

The program started on March 11 and goes through March 28.

Lake Metroparks introduced Trees for Wildlife in 1989 with the purpose of sharing with first graders the importance of trees in their community.

Over 71,000 children have heard the message and received a tree to plant. This year, nearly 2,600 students will benefit from the program.

The goal of the program is to help students understand how plants, animals, the environment and people are all connected and are dependent on each other.

Here are the dates and times for the remaining schools in Mentor: 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013 (First day of spring!)

Hopkins Elementary School
7565 Hopkins Rd. (9:10 and 10:30 am)

Presenting: Gail Allcock – Lake Metroparks volunteer

Tree: Sandy Nelson - Lake Metroparks volunteer

Friday, March 22, 2013

St. Mary of the Assumption

8540 Mentor Ave. (10 am)

Presenting: Ann Bugeda, Chief of Interpretive Services for Lake Metroparks

Tree: Lauren Pauline- Interpretive Naturalist for Lake Metroparks

Wednesday, March 25

St. Gabriel School

9935 Johnnycake Ridge (8:30 am)

Presenter: Mary Madeja, Interpretive Naturalist

Tree: Marilyn Levand, Interpretive Naturalist 

Orchard Hollow

8700 Hendricks Rd. (10 am)

Presenter: Jann Glove, Interpretive Naturalist

Tree: Rich Glove, Lake Metroparks volunteer

Thursday, March 27

Dale R. Rice Elem.
7640 Lakeshore Blvd. (10 am)

Presenter: Colleen Royer, Interpretive Naturalist

Tree: Mary Madeja, Interpretive Naturalist

James A. Garfield Elementary School
7565 Hopkins Rd. (10 am)

Presenting: Gail Allcock – Lake Metroparks volunteer

Tree: Sandy Nelson - Lake Metroparks volunteer