This past week we finished our last School Tree Planting of the season at Sixth Presbyterian Church, where we worked with 50 students form the community to install the trees with our Tree Ops and Edu Crew.
Right now, tree canopy cover on school grounds in DC—public, private and charter—averages less than 14 percent, with 184 schools having 5 percent or less, and 21 schools having no tree cover at all. Space isn’t the limiting factor. Our analyses shows that 25,000 new trees could be accommodated at schools collectively.
The benefits of trees on the health and education of children and the community are clear. Trees help improve student’s ability to focus in class and concentrate on homework, reduce ADHD symptoms, provide context for science, math and technology lessons and more.
This year we have worked with over 20 schools, and planted just over 300 trees at schools across DC. We provide the trees, tools and expertise, all at no cost to the schools (made possible by you)—and students help to plant and water the trees for hands-on learning.
The kids love the experience and the school and community members benefit from the many environmental, social and economic benefits trees provide.
To get more trees in the ground at schools—and other deserving sites—we need more people to step up and philanthropically support our work. Please consider making a tax-deductible year-end donation to Casey Trees this holiday season. The health of our urban forest depends on Casey Trees and you!
