Wadena Soil & Water Conservation District

1. Wadena Soil & Water Conservation District Anne Oldakowski Education/Forestry Programs What does the Wadena SWCD do? • We help landowners with soil and water questions. • We promote stewardship and protection of natural resources.

2. 2012 Wadena Soil & Water Conservation District Poster and Essay Contest

3. Poster/Mural Rules • Posters must have the words “Trees – Rooted in Our Future” in letters 1/2” or greater, and promote the theme • Poster Size: 11” x 17” Back of poster must have this info: Student’s name Parent’s name and telephone number Teacher, School, Grade and City Wadena Soil & Water Conservation District • Best to have bold colors that stand out

4. Essay Rules • 8 ½” x 11” on white paper • Double-space computer printing, typing, writing or printing • 400-500 words • Cover page: • Name • Age and grade • Parent’s name and phone number • School’s name and address • Wadena SWCD

5. Prizes will be Awarded School County Certificates T-shirts Area Cash

6. Parts of a Tree - Branches and leaves- Food factory- Converts sunlight, water and CO2 into sugars to nourish the tree- Holds the seeds for new trees - Carries water and nutrients from the roots to the crown- Holds the tree upright - Hold soil in place- Take up water and nutrients for growing- 99% of tree roots are in the top 3 feet of soil

7. Parts of a Forest LAYERS Canopy Understory Shrubs Forest Floor Roots

8. Canopy Formed by the crowns of the largest treesPhotosynthesis happens here: sunlight + CO2 + H20 = food for tree and clean air for usInsects call this home, which attracts insect-eating animals

9. Understory Smaller trees pushing up toward the lightHeight and width of trees can be differentAnimals, birds, and insects use this layer

10. Shrubs Many kinds of shrubs and vinesOffer nesting and feeding areasHome of many birds

11. Forest Floor Leaves, twigs, branches, and fallen trees lie hereInsects, fungus, ants, and other very small animals live here

12. Roots Can’t see these at all unless above groundDraw up water and minerals from the soilAnchor the trees in the ground and keep it upright

13. Trees are rooted in our: 1. environmental2. economic3. aesthetic Future!

14. Trees – Rooted in our Environmental Future Trees affect our atmosphereTrees protect us from wind and keep soil from blowing awayTrees directly affect our soilSoil and trees join together to improve the quality of our waterTrees provide living places for wildlife

15. Trees – Rooted in our Economic Future Trees are a major Minnesota cropDaily we are surrounded by products of treesTrees increase property values

16. Trees – Rooted in our Aesthetic Future Trees satisfy our needs for beauty, quiet, and diversityPeople gain a sense of well being while in a forest or parkTrees provide areas for recreation

17. How do we plan for the future? Trees are a renewableresource. This means that we can use them and grow a new crop of trees for the future.

18. How do we plan for the future? Trees are also a limited resource.Through proper planning and management, we can use trees and still always have them.

19. How do we grow trees? Seeds Seedling Sapling

20. How do we plant trees? Seedling

21. What can we do to manage trees? Pruning Thinning

22. What can we do to manage trees? Harvesting After harvesting, replant more trees!

23. Where can I go to find information about trees? http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/kidsapp?area=home&subject=landing&topic=landing (USDA FSA Kids page) http://www.tappi.org/paperu/welcome.htm (Paper University)http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/education/arbormonth/teachersguide.pdf (Teachers Guide to Arbor Month) TeachersParents Internet

25. May 18, 2012Contest Due Date Entries will be judged at our board meeting on May 21 Rememberthe Theme:Trees - Rooted in Our Future