For Earth Day, a rooted pastime: Port Angeles fourth-graders plant trees

Published 12:01 am Sunday, April 26, 2015

PORT ANGELES — Dry Creek Elementary fourth-grade students celebrated Earth Day on Wednesday by planting trees on private property west of the Elwha area.

Led by Cam Field and a crew from Merrill & Ring, students planted several hundred fir trees, continuing the company’s 28-year tradition of student-involved tree planting.

Field said this was the 18th event with Dry Creek students.

Volunteer Connor Heilman helped the students.

A former Dry Creek student, Heilman planted trees when he was in fourth grade at the school and returns annually to help as a volunteer leader.

Other schools have participated in Merrill & Ring tree plantings, including Franklin Elementary.

The company added tree plantings with Greywolf Elementary third-graders from Sequim and students in the third, fourth and fifth grades from Crescent School in Joyce this year, Field said.

“What a great time taking kids to the woods and fresh air,” Field said.