For the past several years, Myryha Patton, an eighth grade student at L.H. Rather Junior High, has been making pine tree seedlings available for planting by her friends and teachers. This year, through the help of her science teacher, Mrs. Kristina Nelson, and principal Karol Alexander, the planting project was extended to school-wide and Bonham ISD district-wide.
Aborgen Seedling Nursery, near Bullard, TX, donated 900 Loblolly Pine tree seedlings and 100 Cherry Bark Oak tree seedlings for the project. Coach Cathie Patton’s fourth period health class helped to divide the seedlings into packets that were given away to students and employees from the Head Start program through Bonham High School.
“As these trees mature, they will provide the oxygen requirements for 45 to 50 people over the life span of these trees, which is about 40 to 50 years,” Myryha said.
Myryha said that trees benefit the environment by helping with the nitrogen, carbon and oxygen cycle by removing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and that helps give us more oxygen that we need. Trees also help remove pollutants from the air and help to stop erosion.
“I hope this project will help the environment and let everyone see how important it is to plant and take care of trees. I plan to do this project for several years to come,” Myryha said.