INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — On May 26, 2015, Gifford Middle School Teacher William H. Lord was recognized for “Being an outstanding role model for forest reforestation and forestry awareness” to his Indian River County students by the Florida Forest Service.
Mr. Lord was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Florida Forest Service. “Mr. Lord has given away over 3,000 trees to his students in his 30 year career,” stated Senior Forester Calin Ionita, Florida Forest Service. “He has inspired Indian River County children to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Today, we honor Mr. Lord’s dedication to his students and sharing his deep appreciation for the precious flora and fauna in our community.”
As an end of year gift to his students, Mr. Lord would provide each student with a potted, native tree seedling and care instructions, in the hopes that the students grow together with the tree. Through the years, former students would often share with him how their trees survived.
Mr. Lord said he was honored for the recognition and emphasized that the reason he gave students these precious trees was to use the trees as examples of a child’s growth and development in real life. Mr. Lord explained that “the children are like little seedlings that will grow big and strong and beautiful just like these small trees.”
William H. Lord will retire with the School District of Indian River County on June 9, 2015.
The Florida Forest Service manages more than 1 million acres of public forest land while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire. For more information about the Florida Forest Service, go to www.FloridaForestService.com.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com.