(Morrison, Okla.) Morrison Elementary School student, Zac Nichols, won third place in the annual Arbor Day poster contest and was recognized at an Arbor Week Kickoff event cosponsored by Oklahoma Forestry Services and the Oklahoma Urban and Community Forestry Council at the Oklahoma History Center. Fifth graders from across the state submitted original artwork illustrating this year’s theme, “Trees are terrific … in our cities and towns.”
“The poster contest is a fun way to engage kids in a discussion about the importance of trees in our environment, and specifically the benefits they provide in urban areas,” said State Forester George Geissler. “They learn that urban trees not only provide beauty and shade, but also improve air and water quality, provide wildlife habitat and even make us feel better.”
Nichols is in Susan Lalman’s class at Morrison Elementary. Other winning posters were created by Chelsea Strutton, first place, from Darlene Black’s class at Marlow Elementary School and Darla Way, second place, from Kathy Kelly’s class at Marlow Elementary School.
In addition to being recognized at the Arbor Week event, Nichols and the other winners will have their posters printed on a bookmark to be distributed statewide. OG&E will provide a tree to be planted on Morrison Elementary School grounds in Nichols honor. Also, he will receive a cash prize from First National Bank of Morrison and his teacher will receive a gift card for school supplies, courtesy of Oklahoma Urban and Community Forestry Council.
Oklahoma celebrates Arbor Week the last full week of March each year and Oklahoma Forestry Services encourages people across the state to commemorate the holiday by planting new trees and taking care of existing ones. Oklahoma Forestry Services, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, is committed to conserving, enhancing and protecting Oklahoma’s forest resources. For more information, visit www.forestry.ok.gov or call (405) 255-6158.
***
