HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced the agency will be helping Commonwealth school students learn about the vital role of trees in the environment through its "Seedlings for Schools" program, in which students will be able to plant a variety of tree seedlings at home, on school grounds or in their community.

"There is no charge to schools participating in this project, as the seedlings are provided by the Game Commission's Howard Nursery," Roe said. "The cost of shipping seedlings is covered through the generous donations of Waste Management; Mealey's Furniture; Wildlife for Everyone Foundation; USFWS-Partners for Wildlife; and Pheasants Forever Chapter 603."

The program provides two levels of involvement based on the grade level, and the agency has been working with the state Department of Education to get the word out about the availability of seedlings.

"Seedlings for Your Class" is primarily for third grade students. As part of this program, the Game Commission provides a classroom or one grade level with enough seedlings for each student to take a seedling home to plant. Seedling choices are silky dogwood or white spruce, and a teacher's guide comes with the seedlings. Orders will be accepted Jan. 5- April 1.

"Seedlings to Develop Habitats" is primarily for middle and high school students. As part of this program, the Game Commission provides a variety of seedlings to students interested in planting seedlings on school or community grounds to improve habitat, plant along a stream, develop a tree nursery, or create an environmental area. Orders will be accepted Feb. 23- April 1.

"Seedlings come in bundles of 25, and will be shipped directly to schools by UPS during the weeks of April 14 and 22, dependent on order receipt and weather, to be available for Arbor Day plantings," said Cliff Guindon, superintendent of the Game Commission's Howard Nursery. "Once seedlings arrive, it is important to keep them moist. Hand out seedlings with roots in plastic bags with moist shredded newspaper or plant in juice/milk carton for transplanting at home. 'How to plant' information and educational materials will be provided with seedlings."

For more information, visit the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on the "Seedlings for Schools" icon in the center of the homepage.

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SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission