The Game Commission is now accepting orders for its Seedlings For Schools Program which provides tree seedlings to classrooms so students can plant them as part of projects to improve wildlife habitat.

Orders placed as part of the Seedlings for Schools Program are being accepted through March 24.

There is no charge to schools that participate in this program. The seedlings are provided by the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery.  The shipping costs are paid in full by the Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation and its contributors.

The Seedlings for Schools program has changed since last year, and now is offering only the “Seedlings for Your Class” level of participation.

“Seedlings for Your Class” provides a classroom, or one grade level, with enough seedlings for each student to take one home to plant. Seedling choices are white spruce and silky dogwood.

A teachers’ guide and planting instructions come with the seedlings and also can be accessed through the webpage.

In years past, “Seedlings for Your Class” was intended primarily for pre-K and elementary students, but this year it’s been extended to middle- and high-school students.

The “Seedlings to Develop Habitats” level, which was intended primarily for middle- and high-school students is not being offered this year in an effort to save costs the Game Commission incurs in offering the program.

Seedlings come in bundles of 25, and will be shipped directly to schools by UPS between April 17 and 19, and April 24 and 25, so they will not arrive on weekends.

Once seedlings arrive, it is important to keep the roots moist and plant them as soon as possible, said Brian Stone, manager of the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery.

Seedlings should be handed out to students with their roots in plastic bags with moist shredded newspaper, or with the seedlings planted in juice or milk cartons for transplanting at home, Stone said.

Seedlings distributed through the Seedlings for Schools program are provided by the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery. The shipping costs are paid in full by the Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation and its contributors.

Individuals and groups wishing to donate to the program can send checks to the Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Fund, which maintains the account for donations. Be sure to indicate the donation is for the Game Commission’s Seedlings for Schools Program. Donations can be mailed to the Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation, 341 Science Park Road, State College, PA  16803.

To order, visit the Game Commission’s Seedlings for Schools Program webpage.  Questions should be sent by email to: RA-SchoolSeedlings@pa.gov.

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[Posted: Feb. 22, 2017]

2/27/2017