Tree-mendous Celebration

Williamsport High School

Students of the Green Club at Williamsport High School, with the assistance of the Washington County Soil Conservation District (WCSCD) and Maryland’s Forest Service, sponsored a tree planting in celebration of Earth Day, April 22, 2009. One full day, three half days, over a hundred students, eight faculty members, maintenance staff, six District (WCSCD) employees, and one MD Forest Service employee later, 107 trees were planted on the school property.

In March, members of the schools Green Club contacted the WCSCD expressing an interest in planting trees to celebrate Earth Day. They stated their club, although eager, had very limited resources and were looking for assistance. The District Board of Supervisors worked some magic, and with resources agreed to donate $3,000.00 toward the purchase of trees. One hundred-seven trees were ordered through Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources Tree-Mendous program.

WCSCD staff assisted the students of the Green Club to determine the locations for the plantings and the appropriate tree species for those locations. WCSCD picked-up the trees from Greenbriar State Park and delivered them to the high school. At that time, Derek Hanes (District Technician) and Jessica Brewer (Conservation Planner), visited the high school and together with the Green Club, marked the placement of the trees with flags indicating which species would be planted.

Mr. Breakall of the Washington County Board of Education arranged to have the holes for the trees to be pre-drilled. Teachers volunteered to bring their classes out during each class period and were assigned a specific number of trees to be planted during that time slot.

Trees were planted along the hillside behind the girls softball field to continue the existing forest line and eventually provide shade; the plantings continued along the side of the softball field and soccer field to expand the existing riparian area.

This project was a great success and the District thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to assist the school and the Green Club in celebrating Earth Day!