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Press Release

The program is generously supported by:

Fisher Mining Company
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
EQT Foundation
FirstEnergy Foundation
First National Bank
Anonymous Foundation
Janet and Jim Nyce
Galen and Nancy Dreibelbis
Holleran Donor-Advised Fund of Berks County Community Foundation
The Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation
The Sourbeer Family
Howard Nursery

SEEDLINGS FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM HITS RECORD NUMBERS IN 2018

State College, PA - The Seedlings for Schools program marked its 10th year anniversary with record number participation. This spring, a total of 160,276 students across Pennsylvania were presented with a seedling from Howard Nursery in central Pennsylvania to plant and watch it grow. That amounts to nearly 65,000 more children – a 68% increase over last year. This experience offers benefits far beyond adding a tree to the planet. In today's world of over-extended children who prefer an electronic device to fresh air, this program connects children to the outdoors by emphasizing their role in the conservation of our natural resources.

Designed to educate youth about the importance of trees in the environment, especially their role in providing food and habitat for wildlife, the Seedlings for Schools program provides every teacher with a resource guide to educate youth about the various trees: how to identify and care for them and determine their value in terms of habitat for wildlife. “Through this experience, we hope that youth begin to understand the role that trees play in the environment and the importance of conservation. We’re pleased that so many children were able to make a connection to nature through this program,” comments Jerry Regan, President of the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation.

The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation partners with the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Howard Nursery to provide this program free to youth in the Commonwealth. Beginning in February any teacher in Pennsylvania may place an order for seedlings for her students. They arrive by the end of May, ready for planting. Seedlings may be planted at the school or in the surrounding community, but most elementary students take their seedling home to plant with an adult. 

This program would not be possible without the support of sponsors who have made it possible to extend the program’s reach into underserved areas, purchase seed, subsidize the cost of shipping and handling, and enhance our communication to schools.  They include: Fisher Mining Company, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, EQT Foundation, FirstEnergy Foundation, First National Bank, Janet and Jim Nyce, Galen and Nancy Dreibelbis, Holleran Donor-Advised Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, The Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation, The Sourbeer Family, Howard Nursery, and an Anonymous Foundation. All who agree with the Seedings for Schools’ overarching goal of shaping environmentally-thoughtful youth are asked to contact their state senator or representative to show their support for the program.

The vision of the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation is to be the leading advocate for wildlife conservation in Pennsylvania. The foundation was formed in 2004 to provide all wildlife enthusiasts with a way to show their commitment through much-needed financial support for wildlife conservation efforts and education. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised millions of dollars to support projects including wildlife and wetland habitat improvements, creek and lake restorations, the Seedlings for Schools program and student educational opportunities. The Foundation's mission connects all wildlife and nature enthusiasts to the great outdoors, including birders, hunters, anglers, students and anyone with an appreciation for nature's treasures. For more information, visit www.wildlifeforeveryone.org.