The Seedlings for Schools Program created by the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation and the Game Commission attracted 312 participating schools in its first year.

Two programs were offered to schools.

The Game Commission's Howard Nursery provided third grade teachers with seedlings for students to take home and plant. The second program, “Seedlings for Habitat,” offered seedlings to higher grades for planting on school or community grounds to improve habitat for wildlife.

There was no charge for schools participating in this program. The expenses were covered by Waste Management, Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation, Pheasants Forever Chapter #603, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Mealey's Furniture.

Schools had two types of trees to choose from – silky dogwood, which is a small flowering tree and Eastern white pine that can grow up to 100 feet tall. This educational program was very well received.

The program was supported by the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation, Waste Management, Inc. and the Game Commission which hope to expand the program to more schools next year.

8/29/2008