KERNVILLE, Calif. -- During the past year Forest Service personnel gathered, planted and grew acorns for future planting projects in and around the Kern River Valley. Mrs. Tito’s Kindergarten class recently participated in one of those very projects.

The playground at Kernville Elementary needed additional shade and Forest Service personnel saw an opportunity to provide wildlife habitat and reinforce conservation education efforts at the school. Forest Service personnel worked out the details with Principal Aileen DeLapp and Mrs. Tito. In mid-November, while temperatures were just right, the project took place. The recent rains helped the trees get established and ready for growth next spring. It will be many years before the trees are large enough to provide suitable shade but it’s a good start for the trees and the kindergarten class.

The students planted 25 oak seedlings around the school’s playground with assistance from Kernville’s Forest Service Engine #42 (Ryan Lobre, Jeremiah Deleon-Guerrero, Ryan Sampson and Ron Mason), Jackie Williams, volunteer for the Kern River Ranger District, Steve Anderson, Resource Officer and Valerie Cassity, parent volunteer for the kindergarten class.

The day started out with Anderson explaining the growing process of the acorns and then handing out cartons with tree seedlings to each student. The fire crew (E-42) dug the holes and took great care and time with each student as they individually planted their own trees, making sure the holes were at the right depth, covering them with just the right amount of dirt and finishing them off with a good watering. At the end of the day, 25 trees were in the ground and dirt covered smiles were on the kindergartener’s faces.

Anderson explained to the students that the oaks were “native” to this area and would not require additional watering other than what mother nature supplied.

While the desired outcome for the planting project was to provide future shade for the playground it was also a great opportunity to provide the children with a “hands-on” lesson in environmental and conservation education.