by Asia Murphy, Freshman, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Wildlife Concentration

Logan Hodges had the best reason to cut his vacation short. A fifth grade student from Village Christian Academy in Fayetteville, Logan Hodges came up from Myrtle Beach to stand in front of the Jordan Addition on March 21st and receive his award as the North Carolina winner of the 2009 National Arbor Day Poster Contest. But Logan wasn’t the only person in front of the Jordan Addition. North Carolina State University celebrated Arbor Day with seedling giveaways, an Open House, and many different presentations. Among the many exhibitors and sponsors were Extension Forestry, the Triangle Chapter of the Society of American Foresters,  NC Division of Forestry Resources – Urban and Community Forestry, Raleigh NeighborWoods Program, NC Forestry Association, the NC State Leopold Wildlife Club, and the NC State Forestry Club.

The Forestry Club, who came in second place in the technical category and fourth overall in this year’s Forestry Conclave, demonstrated timbersports for the crowd. Victor, a member of the Forestry Club, showed off his hard-earned skills throwing axes at a target. Their demonstration garnered a large, appreciative audience. Graham Ford, junior in Forest Management and Forestry Club Vice President, said, “I think it’s awesome! It’s good we’re talking to people.”Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences freshman Barbara Ann Stevens, who is training to be a College of Natural Resources Ambassador, decided to try her hand at axe-throwing. Although she didn’t quite hit the target, nothing could deflate her good mood. Deja, who had come to the Open House earlier in the year, also made an appearance, solidifying NC State as her first choice. Melissa Hirsch, who came to the Arbor Day celebration for extra credit for an AP environmental class, said, “It’s cool…lots of booths.”

Everywhere you looked, you could see people learning about the programs that NC State had to offer, information about our environmentally based clubs and societies, and tips to help create a better, more sustainable world. Arbor Day as presented by North Carolina State University became more than a holiday where individuals are encouraged to plant and care for trees. It became a celebration of our natural world and the skills that we can learn to help keep our world as natural as possible.

NCSU Forestry and Environmental Resources 2009 Arbor Day Celebration and Open House

Logan Hodges, North Carolina winner of the 2009 National Arbor Day Poster Contest, with his teacher Mrs. Aber and the winning poster.

NC State Leopold Wildlife Club members provide information about their majors and club activities at their booth.

NC State Forestry Club demonstrates timbersports for Arbor Day participants.