James Clauser, district manager of the Carbon County Conservation District, was recognized recently for outstanding contributions to the national Global ReLeaf effort.

The program encourages Americans to plant trees in their communities and is sponsored by the American Forestry Association and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry.

Clauser applied for and obtained funding for tree planting activities through the America the Beautiful program.

The grant totaled $2,500, resulting in seedlings being distributed to thousands of children in Carbon County and 25 flowering trees being planted at nine elementary schools in the county, as well as at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center, Summit Hill.