McWane Anniston Operations support environmental and outdoor safety education at 40th annual Earth Day

Anniston Operations Tyler Union and M&H Valve Company brought environmental and outdoor safety education to Calhoun County fourth graders at the 40th annual Calhoun County Extension Office’s Earth Day event on April 29 and 30.

The two-day event, held at Cane Creek Community Gardens at McClellan, saw fifteen team members from the McWane companies lead interactive stations that engaged approximately 623 students from Calhoun County Schools, according to Tyler Union Environmental System Specialist Renea McGathy. 

McGathy, who has overseen the companies’ participation with the event over the past several years, shared what the event has meant to her.

“My experience participating in this event has taught me many things: patience, the importance of laughter when plans go sideways, the value of hard work, and most importantly, how to care for our environment through the three R’s of Earth Day: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle,” McGathy said. “Over the past 11 years of volunteering, Jerome McQueen instilled in me that Earth Day truly includes a fourth R – respect. I’ve learned just how much Earth gives back when we take the time to protect it.”

Stations at the event included wildlife education, recycling, water safety, canoeing and kayaking safety, hands-on experiences with farm animals, and more. Students were also able to learn more about the role Tyler Union and M&H Valve Company play through sustainability in manufacturing practices and how their products are used.

According to McGathy, one fourth grader at the event suggested also adding “repeat” to the Rs of Earth Day.

“So, remember the five R’s,” McGathy said, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Respect and Repeat."