Many of the things that kids receive from their teachers, such as event flyers, report cards or other forms, inevitability find their way stuffed into a backpack, junk drawer or even the trashcan.

The gifts that local children received Wednesday will likely hold their attention for a lot longer — decades longer, in some cases.

That morning, members of the Cass County Conservation District donated over 3,300 white pine tree seedlings to Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Edwardsburg and Marcellus elementary students, in time for Earth Day on Wednesday and Arbor Day on Friday. The kids will be able to take home the seedlings, where they can either plant them in their own yards or at one of the county parks, said Conservation District Administrator Justin Miller.

With a life expectancy ranging in the centuries, a properly cared for sapling will blossom into something that could be a fixture of a particular piece of land for generations, Miller said.

“It’s something you can always look back at and be proud of,” he said.

The conservation district has given away tree seedlings in the past as well, donating them to local fifth-grade students. Thanks to a $2,000 grant given to the agency by Canadian-based energy company Enbridge, the district was able to expand this year’s giveaway of the Michigan state tree to all elementary students within Cass County, Miller said.

“We didn’t want anyone to be left out,” he said.

Miller personally delivered many of seedling packages Wednesday morning, stopping by Sam Adams Elementary in Cassopolis and Kincheloe, Justus Gage, Patrick Hamilton and Sister Lakes elementary schools in Dowagiac. While dropping off the boxes inside each school office, some of the administrators present recalled their own experiences planting a tree given to them by the organization — some of which are still standing, over 25 years later, Miller said.

In addition to giving the kids a fun project to do with their parents afterschool, Miller hopes that giving away the seedlings will help stress to local families about the important role that trees play in helping the environment, and beautifying the surrounding landscape, he said.

“Just one tree can make a big difference,” Miller said.

The Conservation District is also assisting with another project taking place this weekend, just in time for week’s eco-conscious holidays. The district, in coordination with Consumer Energy and Michigan International Speedway, has donated over 500 trees for planting at T.K Lawless Park and the Edwardsburg Sports Complex. Assisting them with the project will be members of the Edwardsburg Boy Scouts, Miller said.

Regardless of what one’s plans are for Arbor Day on Friday, Miller encourages local residents to get outside this weekend and to appreciate the natural beauty of Cass County, he said.

“Smell the flowers, pull some weeds — just get your hands dirty,” he said.