Submitted by A.F. Timber Co.
Approximately 250 Grade 5 students from School District 8 gathered last week to celebrate the forestry industry at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park.
Forestry Day is an annual event to which all Grade 5 students in Nelson and surrounding area are invited to by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
Prior to the big day, a volunteer visits each classroom for approximately 20 minutes to provide seedlings to the students (donated from PRT Harrop), provide general forestry info, and invite students to ask questions about what to expect on the field trip day.
The field day started with an Indigenous welcome and recognition that involved the local school district co-ordinator leading a group of students in a song with drums.
Groups of students then travelled with their guide to different stations, to learn about various aspects of forestry. Each station was 15 to 35 minutes long. At the stations, one to four leaders helped the students learn through hands-on activities, discussion and presentations.
Stations included: safety gear (logging choker race) and timber harvesting hosted by A.F. Timber Co. Ltd., wood products info station hosted by Kalesnikoff, wildlife conservation, wildlife tree walk, tree aging, tree cookie art, forest health storytelling, wildfire crew and a scavenger hunt.
Kalesnikoff sponsored a free BBQ lunch, and all the kids have a great day of learning in the forest.