THE LEAFLET

During (typical) summers, we partner with a whole host of folks during our summer youth programs, which focus on cultivating the next generation of tree stewards – aka we host summer camp enrichment programs for District kids!

This summer, our TreeWise Junior Urban Forester program looked a little different. We were still fortunate to be able to partner with folks. Notably with Carver Terrace and their sister properties, with Horton’s Kids through their virtual camps, and we continued partnership with DPR by offering enhancement programs at their Fun in the Sun sites.

So far this summer, we have:

• Distributed 130 Junior Urban Forester Guides to the partner sites (50 booklets for grades Kindergarten-2nd grade, and 80 for 3rd-5th grade)
• Hosted three virtual field trips to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
• Taught tree-based lessons to 25 youth and 5 adult partners
• Engaged over 10 young adults through the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program

While we’ve had a busy summer, autumn and the start of school is on the way. With the announcement that DC public schools would be remote-only until November 6, we thought our Junior Urban Forester Guides would be a helpful resource for parents, teachers, and everyone trying to educate school kids during a pandemic. To really spice up the guide, we’re excited to offer it as a package activity deal!

Your purchase gets you:

• a copy of the Junior Urban Forester Guide, chock o block full of activities, worksheets, and lessons on trees, their features, how they help our city, and how to identify them (available in K-2nd grade and 3rd-5th grade versions)
• a Junior Forester Necklace that doubles as a nametag and art project – you need to decorate it!
• a Casey Trees tote to carry around all your Urban Forester goodies, which doubles as another art project (see the snazzy photos below)
• Crayons to assist in all those above mentioned art projects
• and a rain gauge so you can track when your trees need water

This is a tough, unprecedented time for teachers and parents. In addition to the Junior Urban Forester package, we have free, online resources all about trees. Casey Trees Remote features quick virtual classes focused on the trees of Washington, DC. From common species found in the District to steps to identify them, our online series will give you the tools to find and explore the trees around you, even if it’s just outside your front door. 

If maps and treasure hunts are more your style, check out our plethora of maps with your small city explorers. Our Trees Near Me Map, which highlights well, trees by you! This map contains practically every tree we have data for – trees that the city has planted in street tree spots, trees we’ve inventoried as part of our Park Inventory program, and trees we’ve planted at our Community and School Tree Plantings.