Dear Editor,
Recently Sam Green did a wonderful photo journal of the Forest Keepers tree planting event in the Cortez Journal. Over 260 fourth- and fifth-grade students from Dolores and Cortez participated in the project. SJMA would like to take this opportunity to mention the important partnerships that made this event possible.
San Juan Mountains Association coordinated this project in partnership with the San Juan National Forest. It takes about two years to plan an event like this. Seeds must be gathered from this area and then sent to a special farm to be grown into seedlings, which are then shipped back here for planting. This process helps ensure survivability of these seedlings in our forest.
SJMA wants to express sincere thanks to the U.S. Forest Service for their support and cooperation on this outdoor activity for our local youth. Getting kids outside is an important goal for SJMA and the Forest Service. In addition, thanks to Kiwanis Club of Mesa Verde who provided a grant for the buses, Le Pew who provided the porta-lets, Southwest Open Schools Generation Impact which contributed expert volunteer services and all the volunteers, parents, teachers and bus drivers who participated.
SJMA hopes to have similar events in the future.
Appreciatively,
Kathe Hayes, SJMA Volunteer Program Director
Gabi Morey, SJMA Education Outreach Director
