We would like to invite you to participate in our Outdoor Classroom Seedling Giveaway! (Schools must be enrolled in the Alabama Outdoor Classroom program to participate)

Order your seedlings today!  Deadline to Order- Friday, Nov. 9, 2007

Downloads:
Seedling Order Packet
Helpful Hints for Planting and Seedling Survival

The Alabama Forestry Commission is partnering again with the Alabama Wildlife Federation, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to donate and deliver FREE tree seedlings to schools that are enrolled in the Alabama Outdoor Classroom Program.  To help promote the development and use of outdoor classroom sites, we would like to donate a variety of 200 FREE tree seedlings to your school. 

Participating schools will have the opportunity to start/expand their outdoor classroom sites while providing hands-on learning opportunities for students as they assist with the planting, monitoring, and watering of the seedlings.  Seedlings can also be given to students so that they can plant their seedlings at home to learn more about how to care for a tree, watch the tree grow, and see day-to-day how trees provide valuable food sources and cover for wildlife.

Each school will receive 1 box of 200 pre-packaged seedlings including approximately 25 each of the following species: Shumard Oak, Willow Oak, River Birch, Red Maple, Eastern Redbud, Southern Crabapple, Red Ozier Dogwood, and Vitex.  These species were chosen because they provide essential components for creating viable habitat for local wildlife including soft and hard mast food sources and needed cover for protection from predators.  More detailed information about each species is attached. The seedlings will be delivered to your school in late February or early March of 2008. 

To receive your free tree seedlings, please fill out the enclosed Seedling Giveaway form and fax it to the Alabama Wildlife Federation at (334) 285-4959 by Friday, November 9.  Quantities are limited so please fax in your order as soon as possible.  Please note that the tree seedlings are only available to schools enrolled in the Alabama Outdoor Classroom program.  If you are not enrolled in the program, you must include the enclosed Enrollment Application Part I and your one-time $50 registration fee along with your seedling order form to receive your free tree seedlings. 

The Seedling Giveaway and Outdoor Classroom programs provide opportunities to stimulate students' natural curiosity in the outdoors, encourage community involvement in the schools, and help students become better stewards of our wildlife and natural resources.  If you have any questions about either of these programs or if you would like our staff to visit your school to provide technical assistance with your outdoor classroom development, please contact April Waltz at (256) 882-9322 or aprilwaltz@knology.net or Doyle Keasal at (334) 844-6398 or keasade@aces.edu. To learn more about other schools across Alabama who have already developed an Outdoor Classroom through our program, click here.