Tri-City Herald...Thursday, December 9, 1992
Students from Vista Elementary School in Kennewick braved Wednesday's soggy weather to plant 11 trees—shade for future hot days and interesting leaves for science experiments.
The rain stopped just in time for the 1 p.m. project at North Young Street and Canal Drive.
The TREE Project—meaning Trees for a Resource for Energy and Education—was organized by the Mid-Columbia Community Forestry Council, with help from several other groups.
- Chevrolet-Geo Automobiles donated money to the nonprofit Keep Washington Green group as part of its Geo Tree Program. Of that donation, $500 was used at Vista.
- Vista's Parent Teacher Organization raised $300.
- The Benton County Public Utility District used a backhoe to dig the holes.
It's OK to plant the trees on a 33-degree afternoon because the trees are dormant in the winter, said Patti Ensor, a founding member of the Mid-Columbia Community Forestry Council.
"We're adding extra mulch (to protect the roots), because we're not sure what the winter is going to be like," Ensor said.
She called the project a "living laboratory." Students will be able to study how the trees save energy with their shade and the different leaf types and growing habits.
Ensor, who is a Lincoln Elementary parent, wrote the grant for Vista because she knew the school doesn't have air conditioning. The trees are outside classroom windows on the south side of the building.
Fifth-grader Daniel Kirkbride said the project is "pretty cool."
"I've never planted a tree before, only flowers and sod," said the 11-year-old son of Cindy and Randy Kirkbride. "I like helping our school, too."
Amy Delgado, also 11, will join Daniel and other CAPS—Caring Assistance Program for Students—in hand watering the trees through the winter.
"It's cool because a lot of trees are being cut down-for paper and stuff," said Amy, who is the daughter of Emma Marquez. "We need more trees."
The Mid-Columbia Community Forestry Council is in the process of obtaining its nonprofit status. It also is a host for the Inland Northwest Community Trees Conference in Kennewick next March.
