By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

CAMDEN, Ohio — Twelve-year-old Philip Neumann never knew there was a difference between point and nonpoint pollution. Rachel Miller, 11, was stunned to find out there were so many fossils in Ohio creek beds. Cheryl Chernek, also 11, said she now has more respect for honeybees after learning more about them.

This trio was among 550 sixth-grade students from five schools (including a home-schooled group) in Preble County, Ohio, who participated in Earth Day activities held at Pleasant Vineyard near Camden.

“We like students to know what conservation really is and want them to make wise use of these natural resources,” said B.J. Price, technician and education coordinator with the Preble County Soil and Water Conservation District. “Fewer and fewer kids nowadays come from the farms and this gives those students a better understanding about the environment they live in and how to respect that environment.”

Volunteers at this event included surveyors, beekeepers, soil conservation specialists, fossil experts, farmers, FFA students and Native Americans. The students rotated among 25 stations every 20 minutes, learning about soils, Ohio trees, recycling practices, air and water pollution, trapping, forestry, honeybees, fossils, water quality, wildlife management, prairie grasses and more.

Celebrated in the United States on April 22, Earth Day is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. It was founded by the late U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970, and is celebrated in many countries every year.

This was the 11th year for the annual event in Preble County.