Goal 1: Tree Campus Team
The creation of a Tree Campus Team is one of the program goals and is an excellent starting point. This group — comprised of students and staff — represents the “tree heroes” that will lead the charge in creating a plan to meet the program goals. Already have a school green team, recycling club, or garden caretakers? This is a great place to start. Consider rallying members of these groups to be champions of your school’s trees. You may find that celebrating trees and their environmental benefits is in direct alignment with these groups’ goals.
- Reach out to people you think would be good candidates. Tell them why Tree Campus K–12 recognition is important to you and your school community. Inform them that their responsibilities would include identifying any trees on your campus, reviewing any existing tree care policies, and creating an education plan.
- Decide what size of group you think would work best for your school.
- Secure willing members’ commitments.
- Schedule your first meeting in which you will review the program goals and begin planning.
Goal 2: Education Plan
To achieve recognition, your team will need to create an education plan. Review each goal and begin brainstorming how you might fulfill these.
- Visit our Learning Hub for inspiration. Which types of educational activities might work well for your school? Which grades, classrooms, or groups would you like to engage? Where might tree-focused education already be happening within your school?
- Determine your tree education goals based on what works for your school. Share these goals with any individuals you need to engage to make them happen.
Goal 3: Hands-On Experience
Your school’s hands-on experience will show your community the spirit of the Tree Campus K–12 program. As you plan your experience, now is a great time to engage your community forestry contacts if you haven’t already. Can your students join forces with your municipal forestry department to help plant or inventory trees in the community? Can your students learn about urban and community forestry through job shadowing? Can your students help a local nonprofit tree organization with a tree planting or distribution event? Can your students visit a younger group of students and conduct a presentation on the benefits of trees in their community? Your hands-on experience can take many different forms — the key is to find what works best for your unique school community.
- Identify a few possible hands-on experience ideas and discuss the feasibility and impact of each.
- Choose the idea that will work best for your school this year.
- Engage the partners whose help you’ll need to plan and make your experience happen and set a date.
- Complete your hands-on experience. Be sure to take plenty of pictures to document your event.
- Save your notes and plans. Record what went well and what you might do differently next year if you choose to repeat your experience again.
Goal 4: Arbor Day Observance
An Arbor Day observance is an opportunity to bring your school’s commitment to trees to life. It can also be a platform for education about the benefits of trees on your campus and in your community. You might find that it works best for your school to partner with your city or a local college or university that is also celebrating Arbor Day. Be sure to take pictures and record evidence of the event so that you’re ready when applying for recognition.
- Meet with your Tree Campus Team and discuss how you’d like to celebrate Arbor Day. Does your school or community already celebrate the holiday in some way? This is a great place to start.
- Engage any partners that can help plan and coordinate your Arbor Day observance.
- Celebrate and document your event. This is a great time to update your school community on the progress toward becoming a recognized Tree Campus K–12 school.
Ready to Start?
When you create an account, you take an important step towards becoming a Tree Campus – even if you’re not ready to apply yet. Get the resources you need to get started.