Dry Creek students celebrate Earth Day by planting trees near Elwha

PORT ANGELES — Dry Creek Elementary fourth-graders in Nancy McHenry and Wyndi Cole’s classrooms celebrated Earth Day on Thursday by planting trees on nearby state Department of Natural Resources land overlooking the Elwha River.

Led by Wayne Fitzwater of DNR and Cam Field of Merrill & Ring, students planted approximately 400 trees, continuing a 21-year old tradition of student tree planting.

Retired teacher Mike Tallmadge, Toni Wade and other professionals and volunteers joined the group in a pre-trip classroom discussion and preparation for the day.

Tallmadge was one of the first teachers involved in the project years ago.

The community sponsored project included ReTree International and the North Olympic Land Trust, adult and parent volunteers and about 50 10-year-old tree planters, in addition to DNR and Merrill & Ring.