Arbor Day in Steamboat!

I’m very excited this morning to write about my Buyer’s Agent, Stephanie Fairchild’s, involvement with Arbor Day. A new project called Fourth Grade Foresters of Colorado has been kicked off to revitalize the observation of Colorado’s State Arbor Day on April 18th. This year, Stephanie took it upon herself to provide every fourth grade student at Soda Creek Elementary with an individually packaged Blue Spruce tree seedling to take home, plant, and care for.

In speaking with Steph, she had this to say. “I appreciate the opportunity to be involved in an environmentally friendly activity, and hope the children enjoy planting their seedlings and watching them grow.”

“This project is made possible because business people in the community like Stephanie covered the cost of each of the individually packaged trees, so there is no cost to the students, teachers, school, or the taxpayer,” said Debra Ersch, Cofounder of the Project. “It’s a wonderful way for business people and individuals to show their support for the community, education and the environment.”

The Fourth Grade Foresters Project began last year and is taking place in 39 states. “Our goal is to revitalize Arbor Day in each state by providing a way for members of the communities to easily assist the schools in an important civic responsibility - getting trees planted,” said Cofounder of the project, Debra Ersch. “We are however, careful not to make this burdensome for the schools and to not duplicate any other state or urban forestry efforts. We consult with the state forestry department and obtain permission from the schools before trees can be sponsored and delivered to the students.”

The Colorado Blue Spruce trees were recommended by the Colorado Department of Forestry. The program was founded by the Free Trees and Plants.com project, who obtains some of the millions of unsold plants from growers and nurseries that would be otherwise be thrown away each year. Then workers with disabilities are hired to package and send the plants to anyone who orders them at http://www.freetreesandplants.com/. Consumers simply pay for processing and shipping costs.

“We invite everyone to celebrate Colorado’s Arbor Day by reserving their free trees and plants at http://www.freetreesandplants.com/,” added Ms. Ersch.

And thank you Stephanie, for bringing this project to Steamboat Springs. We can all “breathe” a little easier knowing your Blue Spruces will be making their way back to the earth soon!