Photo: Middleton Parks & Recreation
By John Daly
This spring, the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy’s Education Committee partnered with the Madison Reading Project (MRP) to celebrate both the wonder of nature and the power of reading.
This marked the seventh year that the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy and MRP have collaborated on this event, which was held on Sunday, April 26, at Orchid Heights Park. The day was a big success, with an estimated attendance of approximately 350 students and their family members.
Photo: Middleton Parks & Recreation
After several years of varied attendance, the planning committee appears to have identified a “recipe for success.” The key ingredients include:
- Free books for PreK–5th grade students focused on an environmental theme
- Favorable weather following several days of inclement conditions
- A weekend date aligned with Earth Day and Arbor Day
- Free potted trees (bur oak and white oak) for families to take home to plant
- Promotion by the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District’s Public Information/Relations Department to the elementary schools and librarians
- A collaborative partnership with staff of the Middleton Parks & Recreation
- Tree planting advice and demonstration by the Middleton Parks staff
- Volunteer naturalists providing tree-related activities
- …and, of course, free ice cream
The Education Committee gratefully acknowledges that this event was made possible through a grant secured by MRP from the John C. Bock Foundation.
Photo: Middleton Parks & Recreation