Middle Tennessee Electric talks Tree Wise with local schools

Middle Tennessee Electric representatives recently distributed approximately 4,000 tree saplings to some local third- and fifth-graders.

The tree handout was part of Middle Tennessee Electric’s Tree Wise Program, which aims to teach local third- and fifth-grade students about trees.

“The students were excited to receive their trees,” Woodland School (Woodbury) fifth-grade teacher Theresa Bush said. “Thank you, MTEMC, for the investment in the students of our community.”

The effort, which began in late February, included classroom activities and discussions on how to transport, plant and care for trees.

“We visited 25 schools across our service territory,” Middle Tennessee Electric Community Relations Coordinator Cathy Mitchell said. “We were encouraged once again with how the students were attentive and interested in this year’s curriculum.”

The cooperative also used the opportunity to teach kids the importance of not planting trees near its power lines.

“We want to teach kids planting trees under a power line can disrupt service and lead to the possible removal of the tree,” Right-of-Way Specialist Cory Edmonds said, “and we don’t want them climbing trees under power lines.”

The students were given either an Amur Maple or a Serviceberry sapling to take home and care for as part of the program’s curriculum.

“We gave each child a tree sapling to take home so they can apply what they learned,” Edmonds said. “It’s our hope it will be something the children can do with their parents and enjoy a real family learning experience.”

For more information, contact Cathy Mitchell at (615) 494-1065 or log on to www.mtemc.com.

Posted on April 9, 2009.

 

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