Sunday, April 25, 2010

Pacifica teen's tree-planting project wins grant

By Neil Gonzales

San Mateo County Times

Updated: 04/25/2010 12:10:54 AM PDT

A national tree-planting project launched by a 4-H member in Pacifica has garnered a $10,000 grant from the SeaWorld Foundation.

The 4-H Million Trees project also won the conservation nonprofit's Environmental Excellence Award.

The funding will bolster tree-planting missions of 4-H youth across the United States and Canada, organizers said.

In 2007, Pacifica teen Laura Webber helped start 4-H Million Trees. The project's goal is to see 1 million trees planted across North America to help reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide.

So far, more than 27,000 youths in 44 states and Canadian provinces have planted more than 103,000 trees.

The project not only tackles environmental issues but also provides youth leadership, public speaking and other skills.

"It's pretty amazing how an idea can take off," said Marilyn Johns, a 4-H adviser and director of UC Cooperative Extension in San Mateo and San Francisco counties. "Not only is this good for the environment, but it has been good for everyone involved along the way."

For more information, visit the project's website at www.4hmilliontrees.org.

Original story...


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