What if every day could be Earth Day?
Comet staff report

Great horned owl Kim Hoover presented the program "Hoots to Howls" at the second grade Earth Day last week at the Flora Community Park. She is pictured holding "Ottumwa," a great horned owl who was rescued and rehabilitated. The Earth Day event was sponsored by Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald

Carroll Elementary and Delphi Community Elementary second grade students celebrated Earth Day last week at the Flora Community Park.

Students enjoyed the sunny days playing recycling games, sifting soils, planting flowers, traveling the path of a water drop, reading stories, creating nature art, studying their energy habits, creating recycling crafts, and consuming "edible landfills."

A special program this year was presented by Kim Hoover of Star City. She is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. She brought three friends with her - "Hobbs," a box turtle; "Orcy," a short eared owl, and "Ottumwa," a great horned owl.

Orcy was rescued after being shot by hunters, and Ottumwa had been hit by a car. Ottumwa's leg and hip were broken, and a wing was shattered. The driver didn't stop, but someone else found the injured owl. Both owls have been rehabilitated.

This is the eighth year for the annual event. Evidence of past years events are visible in the park with numerous tree plantings and the donation of several park benches and picnic tables made from recycled plastic milk jugs.

The event, sponsored by the Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District, offers students hands-on learning to understand the conservation and wise utilization of resources in our environment.