The Lawrence County Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Agents collaborated with the Lawrence County Soil Conservation District and Lawrence County Schools to present an Earth Day Programs. 

At Louisa East Elementary School, over 300 students participated by planting flowers and shrubs in the schools outdoor learning court yard area. Students not only beautified the court yard, they were also able to learn hands on about plants and their importance to our environment. It was wonderful to see the students at Louisa East Elementary getting excited about plants and learning about pollinators and our environment. 

Fallsburg Elementary School was also able to participate with another collaborative effort. All of the students were able to safely participate in Earth day by the planting of two trees at the school. Furthermore, information about Kentucky Trees was distributed to all students. This information lesson discusses tree sciences and counting tree rings. 

At Blain Elementary School over 50 students participated in planting trees in their school yard. During this time the Agents and Soil Conservation Representative discussed the importance of trees and pollinators in order to improve and sustain our environment. Students not only learned through this discussion but through the hands on activity of planting their trees. Students also participated in games and activates to conclude the program. 

Six trees, seven shrubs, and twenty four perennials plants we planted between the three elementary schools. This project will continue in the future, not only with Earth Day but as a seasonal collaborative program throughout the year as we work to maintain and add to the school garden.