Home › Self Organizing - Plant a Tree ›

Self Organizing - Plant a Tree

Self Organizing - Plant a Tree

Overview
Think globally and act locally by planting a tree. Trees clean up pollution, give us oxygen, recycle water, prevent soil erosion, provide homes for animals and beautify our community. Your family can help the environment and beautify your community by planting a tree.

Goals

  • To plant a tree to help the environment and beautify the community
  • To learn about sustainable trees in your area and about the importance of trees to our eco-system
  • To connect with organizations that help the environment

Supporting Organizations

  • Local nursery
  • Garden club
  • Botanical garden
  • Arboretum
  • Local landscape architect
  • Local environmental group

Materials

  • Tree that is native to your area
  • Shovels and gardening tools
  • Soil or fertilizer
  • Water

Instructions

  • Decide where you will plant the tree.  If public property, get permission to plant the tree.  Check with local gas and power companies to make sure you will not disturb any lines.
  • Connect with a local nursery or environmental organization and tell them about your project.  Ask if they will donate the tree or give you a discount.
  • if you are including other families in your project, invite someone to speak about sustainable tree planting in your area. Otherwise, make a family trip to a nursery or arboretum to learn about the trees that will thrive in your climate.
  • Make arrangements for the tree to be cared for after it has been planted.
  • Thank all who donated and helped with your planting.

Additional Resources

Environmental Fact Sheets for Kids at www.HandsOnNetwork.org/FamilyVolunteering/ServiceLearning

Wangari’s Trees of Peace, A True Story of Africa by Jeannette Winter
As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari Maathai is surrounded by a rich, beautiful forest of trees. As she sees the trees being cut down she is afraid that soon all these forests will be destroyed. She decides to plant nine seedlings and as they grow, so do her plans... "People are fighting over water, over food…we plant the seeds of peace.”