IOWA LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE CELEBRATES ARBOR DAY ALONG WITH AREA HIGH SCHOOLS

Area high school chapters joined with the Landscape & Turfgrass Technology program at Iowa Lakes this past week to make the world a little greener.

Kevin Fehr, the instructor of the Landscape & Turfgrass Technology program, delivered trees to local area high schools to help celebrate the 136th annual Arbor Day, on April 24, 25 and 29.

Arbor Day was established by President Theodore Roosevelt to celebrate the importance of trees to our nation. The President was even quoted saying, “to exist as a nation, to prosper as a state, and to live as people, we must have trees.”

The trees Fehr delivered were 7 to 8 foot tall Pacific Sunset Maples, which will grow to about 30 feet in height and have about a 25 foot spread. The trees will have dark green glossy leaves in the summer months which will turn to yellowish-orange to bright red during fall.

Fehr feels that taking part in Arbor Day is crucial for many reasons.

“Arbor Day is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the trees on your property and plan for the future by planting a tree or two,” said Fehr.  “We need to stop and think about all the benefits we receive from trees: shade, saving on energy costs, food and homes for wildlife. They give off oxygen and help clean our air. Trees are made into paper and other products and they have an impact on general aesthetics. The list goes on an on,” he said.

The first delivery, on April 24, was to Armstrong-Ringstead Community School, where he talked to a 10th grade Science Class about the importance and benefits of trees. Fehr also helped the students plant the tree he presented to them in front of the school.

Later that day, Fehr traveled to North Kossuth Community School in Swea City where he talked to Jason Holt’s Horticulture class and presented them a tree which they will plant at a later date.

On Friday, April 25, He traveled to Harris-Lake Park High School, where he spoke to Randy Nicks’ seventh grade class and showed the kids how to plant the tree, which they will do in the near future. Then Fehr traveled to Clay Central Everly High School where he spoke about the importance of trees to Ag/FFA Instructor Rick Meyer’s class.

The last stop in Fehr’s trip was on Tuesday, April 29, at West Bend Mallard Community School in West Bend. There, he assisted the students in planting one of the donated Maples.

Clay Central Everly High School