1st Annual Wildflower STOMP at Jones State Forest a smashing success

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - The Texas A&M Forest Service hosted the 1st Annual Wildflower STOMP in the WG Jones State Forest, inviting 200 students and teachers from Barbara P. Bush Elementary in The Woodlands from Conroe ISD and 100 parents, for the seeding and planting of wildflowers for the spring season.

As part of the-day-of-service, ExxonMobil employee volunteers participated in the seeding and planting program, and also planted ten trees that attract pollinators, erected three interpretive signs, planted hundreds of naturalizing daffodil bulbs, and placed trail-markers along the Middle Pond trail.

John Warner, urban district forester, recognized ExxonMobil as one of the original environmental educator partners 25-years ago, that helped start the environment outdoor learning programs in the Jones State Forest.

“John and his staff provided us with a wonderful, educational field trip. Thank you to ExxonMobil as well. The students, parents and teachers had a great time. Every year it gets better and better,” said Vanessa Rudd Coker.

The number of parents participating with their children, did not go unnoticed…

“It was crazy great to see so much parental involvement in one school, one grade level,” said Warner.

Ranger Warner oversees programming in the state forest and emphasized that pollinators are an important part of our lives from food production to plant reproduction.

“What we do here is take elements of what the students have learned in the classroom and put it into real world application and experience through site-based learning concepts,” said Ranger Warner. “Today's programs are so much more for students. Activities are aligned to the TEKS and learning elements taught in class at this time,” added Warner.

“What a wonderful field trip this was! Each station had something that caught the kids attention! We are so lucky to have you guys right in our backyard! Thank you!” stated Tiesha Johnson.

Warner encouraged the community to come visit the forest in springtime, and see the results of the Wildflower STOMP.

“Enjoy the wildflower meadows this spring, brought to everyone's enjoyment by the 400 feet that helped connect the seeds to the soil. They had fun, but learned at the same time,” said Warner.

To learn more about the W.G. Jones State Forest "Like" their Facebook page at the link provided. And also their website.