34th Annual Ross Roe Memorial Youth Tree Plant Wraps Up Today near GP
The Josephine County Forestry Department is wrapping up the 34th Annual Ross Roe Memorial Tree Plant today on timber land located southwest of Grants Pass.
Thousands of youth from local schools, scout groups, 4-H clubs and other groups in Josephine and Jackson counties participate in this event every year. It's a great hands-on and fun experience for youth in our community to learn about trees and the forest.
The late-Ross Roe started the event to get kids out of the classroom and into nature. It is now named in his honor by volunteers and coworkers who worked alongside him to hold the annual event. The three-day event at the site off Stringer Gap Road is the only continuous youth tree plant in the state of Oregon.
Each year, the Josephine County Emergency Communications Team uses their radios to communication with the volunteers and Early Day Gas Engine Tractor Club to give hay rides while transporting the kids up and down a one-way road.
Participating youth are allowed to place a personal tag on trees they plant so they can come back to see their work in the future.
According to the Josephine County Forestry website, more than 100,000 trees have been planted since 1990.
