By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and according to the Earth Day Network, “the world is in greater peril than ever.”

Hope, however, is not lost. Future generations of the eco-conscious were given an important lesson in how to best utilize their natural resources.

Niles area students from Howard-Ellis Elementary School and Niles Seventh-day Adventist School were at the Berrien County Youth Fair fairgrounds Wednesday for the 16th annual fifth grade Natural Resource Day.

“Well, first, it’s fun to get out of class,” said Jill Adams, of Berrien County Resource Recovery. “But we actually like to get them (students) out in the fresh air.”

At the fairgrounds special presentations in everything from plant science and recycling to water and soil conservation were available to students.

“A whole lot of people from the Berrien Springs Garden Forum, as well as the Michigan State University Extension, helped out with the presentations,” Adams said.

“They really stepped up, kind of last minute,” she said. “We’re so grateful for them … (And the students) get to talk to professionals in the field.”

More than 1,000 area fifth-graders will make their way to the fairgrounds, including St. Mary’s Catholic School of Niles, which will attend presentations scheduled for today.

During Wednesday’s visit, Akwasi Antwi, a student in Bill Buchman’s fifth grade class at Howard Elementary, said he was enjoying the tour through each of the Commercial Poll Barns/Buildings.

With a handful of presentations left to go, recycling was a favorite, Antwi said. The fifth-grader said he recycles at home and thinks it’s a habit he’ll keep as he gets older.

Which is exactly what those behind Earth Day would like to hear.