FAWN Program Held in Marengo County

by Duane Andrews, NRCS Soil Conservation Technician, Linden, Alabama

FAWN (Forestry Awareness Week Now) is an environmental program taught by resource professionals in their domain--the forest. About 403, 6th graders from Marengo County schools participated in the event over a three-day period.

The objective of FAWN is to enhance the public's perception of foresters, the forest industry, and forest practices through an integrated program that explores all aspects of forestry.

Marengo County SWCD/NRCS staff helped staff FAWN activities at Foscue State Park in Demopolis, Alabama.  Seven stations were set along the Tombigbee River within the park. Volunteers and resource professionals from all disciplines staffed the stations that included subjects such as Soils, Tree Identification, Forest Products, Timber Management, Wildlife, Controlled Burning, and Project Wild.

Students were led from station-to-station by trail guides. Each presentation was about 20 minutes. There were many hands-on activities for students along with a question and answer session.  Brown bag lunches were served.

Teachers praised the program for educating students about forestry, which is one of the most important natural resources in Marengo County.

Sponsors and volunteers included NRCS, Alabama Fish and Wildlife, Alabama Forestry Commission, Marengo County Forestry Planning Committee, Georgia Pacific, Rock Tenn, Linden Lumber and Westervelt.