The Springport High School FFA Chapter held an "Ash Bash" fire
demonstration on April 28, 2005 to promote awareness of the emerald ash
borer in Michigan, especially in Jackson County. The entire Springport
school district took part in the event, held next to the football field grounds.
"The FFA has organized the EAB educational campaign to reach out to all of the
district's students, parents, faculty and staff members as an effort to help
stop the spread of this pest, which has the potential to kill all ash trees in
North America," says Megan Burgess, Springport FFA advisor. "Campaign activities
have included presentations to the high school and middle school faculty members,
as well as two assemblies for the high school and middle school students.
Presentations were given to the elementary school classes within the district by
17 high school groups from the landscape and freshman agricultural biology classes."
Pat Lockwood, state EAB policy liaison from Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm's
office, was on hand to award the Springport FFA Chapter with a certificate of
appreciation and recognition for its efforts to stop the spread of EAB. Also
participating in the event were the US Department of Agriculture, the Michigan
Department of Agriculture, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the
Jackson County Conservation District and Michigan State University Extension (MSUE).
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