March 25, 2024

While students close their eyes and pretend they are trees, Jack Hilgert, drops red, yellow and blue chips on the floor. The chips represent nutrients, sunshine and water. The students then open their eyes and scramble to pick up a balance of chips to help their “trees” grow. Jack Hilgert, Conservation Education Coordinator for the Nebraska Forest Service, teaches second graders about trees at Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer school in Humboldt, Nebraska. Each student was given a Colorado blue spruce seedling to raise in the classroom while they learn about trees. March 25, 2024. Photo by Craig Chandler / University Communication and Marketing.