In May 2005, the MCFSC participated in the Idyllwild School's Earth Week education program. We participated with the K-1 grade students. Students learned about the life cycle of trees and played the Plant Personification Game in which each student pretended to be a tree seed by curling up on the floor and then growing branches, leaves, roots and feeder roots. They learned about the parts of a tree and that trees can be attacked by insects and lightning and become the home for many birds and animals. They and went through the life-cycle of a tree until it died and a new seed sprouted and grew from the remains of the old tree.

We then examined tree rings which had evidence of bark beetles and blue stain fungus and talked about how long trees live and what might cause them to die.

This activity along with many other resources for environmental education were provided by Project Learning Tree (a national program) which conducts workshops. In California it is sponsored through the Calif. Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection, and Fire Safe Council members are eligible to take their free workshops and get teaching materials on relevant topics.