Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. is sponsoring its fourth "Trees for the Future" seedling giveaway in regional elementary schools in late April to coincide with Earth Day and Arbor Day.

Under the program, the company will distribute more than 200,000 Douglas fir seedlings to elementary school students and communities throughout Central Eastern Pennsylvania.

"The program is designed to strengthen an awareness that trees symbolize the future of our environment," explained PP&L program manager Craig Porter. "We care about that future and encourage youngsters to plant seedlings to show they care as well."

Porter said more than 9,700 teachers from 512 area schools have signed up. About 185,000 elementary students will receive seedlings through the program.

The most significant feature of the program, he said, is the teacher information packet provided by PP&L.

"We've put together an assortment of lesson guides, handouts, activities and projects that teachers can use to help students learn about the value of trees," he said. "In addition, we offer teachers the opportunity to use our land management facilities as outdoor classrooms."

Porter pointed out that the program has grown significantly since it was introduced in 1992. The program has more than doubled in scope, resulting in more than 700,000 seedlings being distributed to students in participating schools over the life of the program.