Students learn to care for water, soil, trees Children buzzed about learning the importance of clean dirt, water and air to trees growing big and healthy. CHRIS KELLY staff Jeff Ferrier and Marc Covitz, members of the Upper Freehold Township Environmental Advisory Committee, show Upper Freehold Regional Elementary/Middle School students a sapling during an Arbor Day program April 29. Upper Freehold Township EnvironmentalAdvisory Committee (EAC) members talked to Upper Freehold Regional Elementary School kindergartners and firstgraders April 22 and 29 about the meaning of Earth Day and Arbor Day as well as recycling, using energy and being good environmental stewards. EAC memberMarc Covitz said, "It was such an enjoyable experience I'm looking forward to doing more presentation like these." Each student took home a little piece of earth as well as red oak and Norway spruce tree saplings with instructions for planting and care. The trees came courtesy of the New Jersey State Forest Nursery. This is the third year in a row that EAC members have provided environmental presentations for local schoolchildren. EAC Chairwoman Jennifer Coffey said the committee's events support kids' natural curiosity about nature. "As a farming community, caring for our soil and water is particularly vital to our future," she said. "In giving theses children a sapping to care for, we're fostering the next generation of great environmental stewards."