The Dickinson West Elementary School fifth-grade class, of Hamtramck, Michigan, winner of a 2001 Education Award, designed to recognize educational programs that are worthy models for others. Under the direction of teacher Michael Craig, Dickinson West fifth-graders are actively involved in community conservation efforts. From helping replant trees destroyed by tornadoes to creating a garden on school grounds that one day will provide vegetables and herbs for local soup kitchens, these students are working to improve the environment. The e-Club of Dexter Elementary School, Ft. Benning, Georgia, recipient of the second 2001 Education Award for the work of kindergarten and first-grade classes in keeping their school and community environmentally sound. Since its establishment in 1994, the e-Club has grown to include such activities as Campus Watch, operation of a school recycling center, the "Gardening Year Round” program, participation of e-Moms and e-Dads, the upkeep of the Memorial Garden, and a focus on the habitat and creation of an outdoor classroom. Trees for Houston, Houston, Texas, winner of this year’s final Education Award for the environmental contributions of its two programs, Trees for Schools and Urban ForesTree Keeper. Trees for Schools has provided 3,381 trees for planting at 175 area schools since 1993 and offers educational presentations for elementary school students. Urban ForesTree Keeper classes teach basic tree care instruction to area residents, as well as the fundamentals of tree identification, proper planting and pruning techniques, and site suitability. Leaders in tree planting and environmental stewardship from around the country and world will be honored by The Arbor Day Foundation at its 28th annual Arbor Day Awards celebration to be held in Nebraska City, Nebraska on Saturday, April 29, 2000. The awards ceremony is part of the Arbor Day weekend celebration held in Nebraska City from April 28-30. Award winners are recognized for their leadership in the cause of tree planting, conservation, and environmental stewardship. |