Planting seeds: Pupils learn to take care of Earth

April 25, 2008 09:31 am

— By PAUL LORENZ
paul.lorenz@mcleansborotimesleader.com
McLEANSBORO — “Ready ... set ... throw!”
On that command, about a dozen Hamilton County fourth-graders hurled handfuls of wild grass seed into the air, where they were caught by a steady wind and scattered.
Perfect conditions, David Wilson, a high school student helping direct the younger pupils, said.
It was all part of Earth Day in the Parks, a project of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Fourth-graders from East Side and Dahlgren schools participated in the project April 17, helping plant native trees, wildflowers and wild grasses at the entrance to the Hamilton County State Fish & Wildlife Area, located about eight miles southeast of McLeansboro. Students from Fred Vallowe’s advanced biology class at Hamilton County High School helped direct the youngsters.
Earth Day in the Parks gives pupils the opportunity to get outdoors and get hands-on experience in the environment, Mike Lewis, site superintendent at the Hamilton County state park, said.
“We are teaching stewardship of this great Earth that we have the privilege to live on,” Lewis said.
The Hamilton County pupils helped plant 500 native wildflowers, 400 native trees and one acre of native grasses, Lewis said.
The program was in its second year, and 25 parks participated statewide, an IDNR news release said.

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