Southridge branch manager Carolyn Lyrenmann and teller Joan Watson showed up for the Arbor Day Celebration kickoff at Greenfield Middle School on May 3, and got a lesson in tree planting and its importance.

“We got involved with this through Dennis Fermenich, the forester for the city of Greenfield,” explained Carolyn, who is pictured at right with Joan and Dennis. “He is very passionate about the beautification of Greenfield, and helps plan tree-planting projects and spread awareness about the importance of trees to the community.” Dennis plans a tree-planting event every Arbor Day — this year, the planting was the first step in the creation of an outdoor classroom, encircled by trees, at the school.

Carolyn and Joan enjoyed Greenfield students singing “Let It Grow” from the movie adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax and then observed Dennis teaching the kids about tree planting. “It is really amazing to see how passionate he is about what he does,” Carolyn said. “Each student got to put a handful of dirt in the hole for the first tree for the outdoor classroom, so that when they come back to visit in years to come, they can remember that they got to help.”