SPRUCE-UP AMERICA

Spruce Up America is a program designed to bring teachers, students, parents, and community organizers together to improve the local environment. The program is open to all schools in Cortland County to develop environmental projects, including tree plantings and/or forest management plans such as but not limited to a living snow fence, wind break or wildlife habitat. Teachers and students work together with a civic group to plan out a project on community owned property. An application is submitted to the Cortland County SWCD, and they are reviewed and accepted depending on funding. The Soil and Water Conservation District provides technical assistance for project planning, and project materials, including seedlings and trees, which are purchased with donations and are provided at no cost to schools doing projects.