Las Vegas — The Hardwood Forest Foundation’s Truth About Trees program recently took center stage at the International Surfaces Event in Las Vegas as 50 local schoolchildren from Thomas J. O’Roarke Elementary School learned the benefits of properly harvesting trees.
This educational experience was the result of a partnership with National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) and National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA).
“To be asked to present Truth About Trees at a show as large as Surfaces is truly an opportunity that the Foundation was excited about. There is no better way to show folks the importance of the Foundation’s work than to bring in children and allow adults to witness their wheels turn,” said foundation spokesman Tommy MacDonald. “I guarantee if you walk into any classroom in North America and ask the students how many of them think that it is ‘bad’ to cut down a tree, most every child will raise their hand, as will most teachers. The foundation works hard to change this image of the forest products industry through education and partnerships allow it to do it on a much grander scale.”
Children were bussed into the convention center where they learned the benefits of properly harvesting as a means to obtain all of the necessary items we use in our everyday lives. In addition, they were treated with a pizza lunch and had the opportunity to chat with some of the most successful professionals in the hardwood lumber industry.
“Upon attending a similar event at the recent NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase in Ft. Worth, TX, I knew NWFA needed to host the Foundation and its educational program, Truth About Trees at Surfaces. It’s amazing what this program can teach young people in a short period of time through keeping them engaged with scientific resources and everyday common sense learning,” said Michael Martin, President and CEO of NWFA.