A group of Pella Middle School students spent their day getting their hands dirty by planting dozens of trees near their school.

Seventh Grader Gavin Hildebrand wrote a grant to the Iowa DNR and earned $4000 for the project, which was completed Wednesday, with the help of a DNR representative, classmates, district maintenance staff, and Principal Josh Manning.

Hildebrand tells KNIA/KRLS News the project is rewarding because of the benefits the trees will have on campus.

“It feels really good for me, because, overall, we are helping the environment and the school with something that really needs to be worked on,” he says.

The project is part of Kristin Schultz and her social studies class that features students working to assist various non-profit organizations throughout the year.