Each year the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Merrill & Ring, and Alta Forest Products invite third-grade students from Greywolf Elementary School on a tree planting field trip.

On April 18, the youths learned about forest management and trees as a renewable resource.

After being taught proper planting techniques, they planted 440 trees on Merrill & Ring-owned land near Fish Hatchery Road.

The tree planting field trips with local schools is an annual event in celebration of Arbor Day.

Hana Wyatt (far left), a member of the Washington Conservation Corps, helps Greywolf Elementary School students planting trees on state land near Fish Hatchery Road on April 18. At far right is Greywolf student Cody Jilg. Photo by Ryan Tippets/Washington State Department of Natural Resources