ROCKFORD, Mich. (AP) – David Buth is rewarding the tree-mendous fundraising efforts of his Michigan middle school students by spending 65 hours in a perch 40 feet above ground.

It’s all part of a deal the part-time science teacher at Rockford Christian School made with the students, who earned and collected thousands of dollars for a trip this summer to Teton Science Schools in Jackson, Wyo.

He calls it Operation Squirrel.

Buth used ropes and pulleys on Monday to ascend a tree on school property. The Grand Rapids Press says he took along his hammock, a tarp and some other items.

On Wednesday, he’ll descend 30 or so feet to fulfill his teaching responsibilities while still in the tree.

Operation Squirrel concludes Thursday morning.

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On the Net:

Buth’s blog: http://sn.im/hxldr

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Information from: The Grand Rapids Press, http://www.mlive.com/grand-rapids

AP-ES-05-13-09 0617EDT