November 1, 2007
Contact: Amanda Box, Communication and Program Coordinator,
Mississippi Forestry Association
601.354.4936, abox@msforestry.net, www.msforestry.net
Kossuth Middle School teacher Debbie Kemp received the Teacher’s Conservation Workshop (TCW) Alumnus. The award was present by Mississippi Forestry Association (MFA) to recognize an educator who best exemplifies the use of teaching methods and techniques learned in MFA’s Teachers Conservation Workshop.
Each summer MFA sponsors Teachers’ Conservation Workshop. This workshop for educators emphasizes the importance of conservation of natural resources, with special attention given to Mississippi’s forests and forest products. The latest information in conservation education is presented at the workshop using indoor and outdoor facilities. Participants learn by demonstration and practical exercise how current conservation practices can be integrated into classroom teaching and student projects. Kemp was presented with a plaque and a check for $500.00 among other gifts during the President’s Banquet October 25, 2007 in Natchez as a part of MFA’s Annual Meeting. The Mississippi Forestry Commission presented Kemp with a $3,000.00 grant to be used for her school. The MFA Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of the forestry community in the state drawing around 500 attendees to the meeting.
Kemp is a 2004 alumnus of MFA’s TCW program and is in her 8th year of teaching at Kossuth. “I have always had an interest in conservation and the environment. I continually tell my fellow teachers that each one of them should attend the MFA Teachers Conservation Workshop. You get so much insight on conservation practices and the environment and you get to know so many valuable resource contacts to invite to school,” said Kemp Kossuth middle school has been recognized for their educational efforts by receiving the community pride congressional district award and the youth urban and community forestry award in Mississippi. Every year since 2005 over 500 fourth and fifth graders get to experience hands-on activities involving forestry, insects, plants, soils, and much more. Kemp implemented an environmental trail on campus and also a nature trail around the school. She acquired an urban and community forestry grant for various conservation education projects, including an environmental science day for 240 students, and has hosted Project Learning Tree and Project Wild programs for the school district, both conservation education programs.
Mississippi Forestry Association’s vision is to serve as The Voice of Forestry in Mississippi. In 1938 MFA was formed to guard and grow Mississippi’s forests and that is still the mission today. MFA is the only organization that represents every group in the forestry community. MFA leads the efforts in protecting landowner rights, improving the forest products economy and educating the community about the ecological benefits of healthy, renewable forests and of the forest industry. MFA is a private (non government), nonprofit association. To learn more, visit www.msforestry.net.