Riddle Elementary School Arboretum - Project RESCUE Pictorial Story ~ 2004-2005

Project RESCUE

Riddle Elementary Students Continually Upgrading the Environment

Riddle Elementary School; Mattoon, IL 61938 – Telephone (217) 348-3800

The Pictorial Story

of the

Riddle Elementary School Arboretum

2004-2005 ~ The Second Year

The Story Continues...

A very wet fall prevented us from working in the arboretum until November. Our first task was to do a "walk-through" to pick up the debris that had found its way into our arboretum over the summer and new school year.

We each had a turn at digging fence posts to begin marking and dedicating our trees.

Our first post and marker is finally in.

The first of a new crop of trees was hand planted by the students of Mr. Ghere and Mrs. Brachbill.

Finally on November 22^nd, Don Higgins brought six large trees and helped us plant them with his tree spade.

Mr. Higgins also brought a large boulder to be used as our first "park bench". We think it fits the natural surroundings of our arboretum.

Students then began the work of collecting data for each of the new trees.

At the same time, they remeasured the trees that were planted in the spring to update and compare the data.

Finally students began the work of researching each new variety of tree. At least sixteen new trees will be added to the list of trees on our flora online project. Information about each tree's habitat, leaf, bark, fruit, seed, and flower will be included.

2005-2006

The story continues...

A complete index of trees with additional information for each one