Edmond North High School

A variety of tree-related coursework is covered in Edmond North High School’s environmental science classes, with focus on topics like biodiversity, biomes, forestry and agriculture, carbon sequestration and climate change, the effect of human population and urbanization, and renewable energy and biomass. The classes also partnered with the City of Edmond to learn about the importance of trees, proper tree selection, and invasive species management.

Carrying learning from environmental science classes outside of the classroom, students learned proper tree planting and mulching techniques from representatives of the City of Edmond’s forestry program. Then, environmental science students completed a campus tree inventory with the help of i-Tree software to calculate tree benefits, uncovering a projected $30,857 in benefits provided by 77 campus trees over the next 20 years. These students and members of the SUN club then coordinated with school operations staff to plan service projects involving the restoration of these valuable trees. These students plan to implement a Standards of Care plan to guide the nurturing of campus trees.

At Edmond North High School, Arbor Day is an opportunity to get off campus and support the City of Edmond’s community tree canopy in a variety of ways. Events this year included students and staff mulching trees in Edmond’s public spaces, helping the city hand out free tree seedlings to community members, and planting trees in a city park.