Just because they weren’t able to be at their beloved environmental center doesn’t mean Lehighton Area Middle School students still weren’t able to gain an appreciation for Arbor Day.

While it is traditional for the Arbor Day program to be held on the last Friday in April, unfortunately the school couldn’t hold this year’s program as planned due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But that wasn’t about to stop middle school life science teacher Joe Yescavage from delivering the program to the students, as he recently took it upon himself to take them on a virtual tour using Zoom.

Yescavage said the virtual tour went well, as he was able to show the students pictures from Arbor Days gone by, as well as all the trees that were donated in past Arbor Days and now reside in the school’s Environmental Center.

“We looked at posters that were entered into the yearly poster contests,” Yescavage said. “We looked at all the baked goods that kids brought to the Arbor Day celebration.”

Yescavage said the tour lasted about 30 minutes and was well-received.

“Of course it was bittersweet because they couldn’t be there physically, but it seems that a lot of sacrifices were made this year in education,” he said. “I had about 77 students participate in the virtual tour through Zoom.”

Yescavage said they covered the history of Arbor Day, along with how the Lehighton Area Middle School, the Lehighton Shade Tree Commission, PPL, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Lehighton Borough, and the Mayor of Lehighton all get together on Arbor Day to celebrate.

“The hardest thing about not being there was that we couldn’t be around all the energy that day usually brings,” he said. “Kids are excited, and the presenters are excited to be part of the celebration.”

That wasn’t the only disheartening part, Yescavage said.

“The students will not get their saplings to plant this year, which is another disappointment,” he said. “It was always great to see so many students leaving school with their trees in hand and a goal in mind to get it planted.”

Mark Hoffman, chairman of the shade tree commission, said he was impressed with Yescavage’s innovative concept.

“I felt that Joe exhibited outstanding creativity using the virtual Arbor Day tour as a way to make sure that this year’s Arbor Day was not forgotten,” Hoffman said. “When looking at some of the clips from his virtual tour, it also gave me a chance to reminisce and remember the history behind the relationship we have formed over the years. The older one gets, the more these precious memories mean to you.”

Much like Yescavage, Hoffman said he, too, regretted not being able to partake in the event in person.

“I missed the hands-on experience getting to see the students,” he said. “I missed handing out the seedlings and interacting with the PPL employees, DCNR representatives and other dignitaries and adults who attend on an annual basis.

Hoffman said receiving the “Tree City USA” flag from Steve Ziegler of DCNR each year at the event is always a memorable occasion that was missed as well.

“This is Lehighton’s 27th year in a row as Tree City USA,” he said. “I have always enjoyed celebrating Arbor Day with Joe and the students and look to Arbor Day as a way to know spring is here and winter is behind us.”

Yescavage thanked both Mark and Diane Hoffman, and promised that next year’s Arbor Day program at the middle school will be one to see.

“I have been with them since the day Mark approached me to start this journey,” he said. “We will back next year better than ever.”