October 17, 2008

FKEC Utility Forester Jason Richards (left) teaches students about planting trees the proper distance away from power lines as they plant a donated Lignumvitae Tree on the school’s campus.

FKEC DONATES TREES to SCHOOLS to TEACH KIDS ABOUT SAFE PLANTING

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Florida Keys Electric Cooperative recently visited Key Largo and Plantation Key Schools to educate students about the importance of planting trees the proper distance away from power lines. FKEC also presented an electricity safety demonstration and donated a tree to each school.

"The majority of power outages that occur during storms are caused by trees planted too close to power lines," said FKEC Utility Forester Jason Richards. "It is important that home and business owners consider the mature size of the trees they are planting and then add at least 10 feet to keep the branches away from overhead lines and equipment."

FKEC is also taking part in an upcoming local Arbor Day event with the Village of Islamorada on Saturday, October 25, from 9 a.m. until noon. FKEC is both donating and helping plant native trees in the new nature preserve on the north side of Founder’s Park at mile marker 87 bayside. The co-op will also have an electricity safety demonstration at the event. The public is encouraged to attend.

FKEC offers its members a free planting guide upon request and more planting information can also be found by clicking here.

Key Largo School third graders recently learned about “smart planting” and electrical safety from FKEC Utility Forester Jason Richards. Following a safety demonstration, Richards (pictured back middle) took the students outside to find a place to plant their tree away from power lines. The students will care for the tree in their classroom until the school’s new field is ready for planting.

FKEC recently visited Plantation Key School fourth grade classes to teach them about planting trees the proper distance away from power lines. The event included a safety demonstration and the planting of a Lignumvitae tree donated by FKEC. Pictured are: (back row) FKEC Tree Crew Members Mark Weeks, Marcus Martin, Rory White and Utility Forester Jason Richards. On the top of the stairs, fourth from left is FKEC’s Jennifer Kurutz standing with the PKS fourth graders and their newly planted tree.

FKEC Journeyman Lineman Gene Ehrenkaufer uses a safety demonstration kit to show Key Largo School third graders how to avoid the dangers of electricity.