by LaTika Lee
special correspondent

What does it take to be an Arbor Day Ranger? Ask Ranger Spruce Sassafras – “Respect the world around us, so trees can sprout, grow and branch out!”

Ranger Spruce Sassafras, an expert on trees, is the mascot for Dominion’s “Project Plant It” program. The mascot visited third-grade students at Bon Air and Hening Elementary schools last week to teach about plants and trees and their impact on our environment. “Project Plant It!” is an environmental education program developed by Dominion to educate students about the benefits of trees and gives them a seedling to plant on Arbor Day. 

Hosted by media partner Radio Disney, students from two classes participated in a high-energy, game-show style competition, testing their knowledge on tree trivia. The students were divided into teams of two, consisting of the Blue Spruces and the Redwoods. They competed for spirit badges, while answering trivia questions based on facts in the SOL-aligned lesson plans.

“It’s a positive experience for the kids,” said Bon Air Elementary School Principal Bruce Tetlow. “The students are studying plants, so the program enhances the curriculum.” Over the course of a few weeks, the students learned to identify the parts of a tree, the many benefits to having trees including providing habitat and food for wildlife, and learning the name of our state tree, the Flowering Dogwood. 

Last year, free educational materials including lesson plans, posters and brochures, were made available to more than 36,000 elementary students in the area. Each student also received stickers and a certificate for his or her participation in the program.

“We’re so grateful to Dominion for providing this hands-on experience for our students,” expressed third-grade teacher Bonnie Snyder, above the cheers from students. “This is an interactive opportunity because they are furnishing the trees for the children too.”

In addition to learning all about trees with colorful, engaging and hands-on teaching materials, students will also have the special experience of planting a tree of their own. In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, Dominion distributed tree saplings for students to plant with their family at the end of April.

Established in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, Arbor Day is celebrated in the U.S. and many foreign countries as a special day to plant trees. This year, Virginia Arbor Day will be celebrated on April 9th and National Arbor Day will be held on April 30.

LaTika Lee is a freelance correspondent for Midlothian Exchange.com