Ryan Haskins, State Contest winner, speaks - Governor Riley, David West, George Barker and Pat Byington in the background.

Governor Riley Celebrates Arbor Day On Capitol Grounds - With approximately 150 school children, parents and state officials in attendance, Governor Bob Riley planted a red bud tree on the northside of the Capitol (just outside his office) commemorating Arbor Week.

At the event, three 5th graders were awarded prizes for winning this year's statewide Arbor Day Poster Contest sponsored by the Alabama Urban Forestry Association (AUFA). The winners were Ryan Haskins, Cullman (1st Place), Megan Christensen, Huntsville (2nd Place) and Cassie Wiggins, Reeltown (3rd Place). Other dignitaries attending the event were Mayor Loretta Spencer of Huntsville, State Senator Zeb Little of Cullman and Rep. Jack Venable of Tallassee.

Tree Planting with Mrs. O'Connor's class
Munford Elementary School (winner of 2002 AUFA annual education award)
Principal Dr. Alice Huddleston
Superintendent Dr. Alice Eldsberry
Board of Education Member John Ponder
Pat Byington and David West

As appeared in Anniston Star.com:
Munford Elementary School receives award
By Sara Clemence
Star Staff Writer
02-21-2003

Second-graders at Munford Elementary School eat lunch below a forest mural that surrounds an aquarium in the school's cafeteria. Photo: Kevin Qualls/The Anniston Star

The Alabama Urban Forestry Association presented its annual education award to Munford Elementary School Thursday.

Giving the award to the Munford school, where artificial trees line the hallways and fish occupy a tank in the cafeteria, was a "hands-down thing," said Pat Byington, director of programs and development for the association.

"It truly is like walking into a forest," Byington said. "You can definitely see how they incorporate the forest into education."

Since its opening two years ago, Munford has been a theme school, teaching through an environmental theme.

The school contains an estimated $250,000 worth of nature exhibits, all funded through grants and private donations, said Johnny Ponder, a member of the Talladega County Board of Education.

"It's the only school in the nation like this," Ponder said.

Noting that many students will eventually work and own land in the Talladega area, Ponder said it is important to teach them how to manage land responsibly.

"Provide for today without compromising the needs for tomorrow," Ponder said.

The school is currently building a quarter-mile-long nature trail.

The Alabama Urban Forestry Association (AUFA) is a non-profit organization that works on urban tree issues. It originally announced the education award at its annual meeting in November, Byington said.

In recognition of National Arbor Day on Tuesday, AUFA arranged a second ceremony and planted a tiny bald cypress on the school grounds.

The award, Ponder said, is "one of several" the school has received in the two years since it opened.

About Sara Clemence New Yorker Sara Clemence is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the Columbia University school of journalism. She covers environmental issues for The Star.

Arbor Day at Montevallo

Left to right: Pat Byington, AUFA; Grady Parker, Mayor of Montevallo; Ben McCrory, Executive Director, Montevallo Chamber of Commerce; Sharon Anderson, City Council Member, Chair of Arbor Board; Herschel Hale, Alabama Power.

Montevallo Poster Contest Winners in background.