“Watching These Kids GET IT was Really Heartwarming”
These words came from Bob Williams, Vice President of Forestry Operations with Land Dimensions Engineering in Glassboro, NJ, and a dedicated American Tree Farm System (ATFS) volunteer.
Bob is producing a new DVD entitled “A Working Forest . . . it’s Future with Fire, People, and Wildlife” for the NJ Forestry Association and Society of American Foresters, funded in part through ATFS's small grants program.
Last week Bob taped Elizabeth Faircloth, NJ Project Learning Tree Coordinator (with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry, based at the Forest Resource Education Center in Jackson, NJ). Elizabeth did the PLT activity “Tree Cookies” with a class of first graders. Each of the 17 students got Chuck Leavell's book "The Tree Farmer" and discussed it on tape. Chuck Leavell, one of rock’s most distinguished keyboardists (he’s been a member of the Rolling Stones band for 27 years), has three passions—his family tree farm, environmental education, and music. He currently serves on AFF’s Board of Trustees.
Bob was so excited following the taping that he sent our office an email:
“I just spent several hours with 17 first graders, their teacher and our PLT coordinator taping for my DVD. I have done many things in recent years to try and counter the nonsense spew[ed] out about foresters and tree farmers etc. But watching these little kids GET IT was THE MOST WONDEFUL EXPERIENCE I EVER HAD TRYING TO SELL FORESTRY. IT WAS REALLY HEART WARMING. We gave them all Chuck's book and when asked what the best thing about the day was - most said getting the book and when asked about the best thing about the book, it ranged from "it’s the colors", “it’s the tall trees" to the real clincher, "it’s great because he has a piano he made from his trees." I hope we are able to bring some of this out in the DVD we are trying to produce!
“So tell your PLT folks - that program is a homerun and they better watch Elizabeth Faircloth sell and explain it in our DVD -- just a fantastic job!!
“[This] week, a NJ state extension forester will be taped in front of a Tree Farm sign explaining the importance of forest management. Long way to go-- but it will happen and we hope people across the country will view and listen to a powerful forestry message that can counter the nonsense that is typically spread about tree farming!”
