Trees for Schools |
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Planting Trees in Schools, While Fostering Youth Stewardship
Our newest program, Trees for Schools, aims to get more tree infrastructure into schools alongside teaching staff and students on the importance of trees and tree care. It goes beyond simply planting the tree--the maintenance and care of the tree that follows is critical to the success of the tree. We are determined to educate schools on this by having the students, staff, and maintenance crews be an integral part of not only the planting itself, but also the education that informs them on how to care for their new trees in the long term. We are happy to collaborate with school districts within the Valley to get more trees into schools!
Please note that we prioritize schools that are Title I schools and are located in high priority areas (red) in a Tree Prioritization Map created generously by Maricopa County Public Health office of Epidemiology and Data Services!
A huge thank you MCPH for creating a map for our program using poverty rate, number of heat deaths, heat illness, cardiovascular disease hospitalizations and a layer for schools. Click HERE for more details on the map.
This program is on a funded project-by-project basis and, therefore, school plantings happen throughout the year. We are currently creating a
development plan and looking for long term funding opportunities, so we can
meet the large demand for this program. We welcome partnerships and collaboration from parent teacher associations, other nonprofits, businesses, and municipalities.
Our Program in Action
Fall 2021 Tree Plantings V.H. Lassen Elementary
Trees Matter planted trees at V.H. Lassen Elementary in November. For the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, students were directly involved in the plantings! To view photos from the plantings, click here! | Spring 2021 Tree Plantings Paideia Academy & Coronado Elementary Trees Matter planted 9 trees at Paideia Academy & 6 trees at Coronado Elementary in April! The trees were planted with the help of arborists and APS. Because of Covid-19 safety concerns, students were not able to participate. To view photos from the plantings, click here! | Fall 2020 Tree Plantings Glendale Landmark Middle School, Arthur M. Hamilton School, & Sunset Elementary School Trees Matter planted 5 trees at Glendale Landmark Middle School, 5 trees at Arthur M. Hamilton School, and 26 trees at Sunset Elementary School during October and November! The trees were planted with the help of arborists and APS. Because of Covid-19 safety concerns, students were not able to participate. To view photos from the plantings, click here! |
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Spring 2018 Tree Planting Trees Matter planted 13 trees, with the help of 500 students who actively participated in the planting process. The school staff and maintenance crew, PTA members, and our Trees Matter team & board members were involved. | Fall 2017 Tree Plantings Trees Matter led a planting of three trees at each school and taught students how to plant and care for the trees. Afterwards, we distributed our 'My Tree Activity Book' for use in future classroom activities. | Fall 2016 Tree Plantings Trees Matter provided 35 trees and trained over 50 staff members within the Roosevelt School District who planted the trees with the assistance of a certified arborist. |
My Tree Activity Book An activity guide we developed that corresponds with 3rd grade level science standards. A fun activity that can be done with family and friends! |
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Trees for School Map
The map below shows schools where Trees Matter has planted trees through our Trees for Schools program.
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