Youth Environmental Literacy Programs

Young Urban Forester   for middle and high school

A 10-hour certificate program combining classroom training and hands-on experience in the field answering the questions: What do trees give us and why should we care? How do we know what’s wrong with a tree? What can we do to help our neighborhood trees? What is a green career? It is offered as an after-school, in-school or summer program. All 10 hours in the program can be credited toward community service hours. Students are encouraged to use critical thinking and problem solving skills to make responsible decisions while studying urban forestry and related social issues. Topics include: urban forest conservation, restoration and planning, tree identification, trees and storm water runoff, invasive species in NYC, climate change and carbon sequestration, air and water quality, NYC's watershed, urban heat island effect, tree adoption, community advocacy, conducting a tree inventory using GPS units and a visit from a green industry professional. Learning materials include TreesNY’s Young Urban Forester learning packet. NYS Learning Standards fulfilled: Science 5.1

The Art of Science   for all ages

Students create original works of art such as writing and performing songs, dances or plays, making films, drawing cartoons or creating art and sculpture demonstrating their knowledge of tree science and environmental issues. For example, acting out the play, "The Brave Little Tree," elementary students understand how a newly planted street tree suffers transplant shock and how they can help. Middle schoolers might create a puppet show demonstrating tree biology. High school students might create a video showing their ideas on how to help the environment. Works can be incorporated into a public performance, school assembly or art show. Materials include art supplies and TreesNY publications. This hands-on creative arts approach is taught by our resident artist, Cheryl Blaylock. Cheryl's extensive credits include acting, puppeteering and designing shows such as Sesame Street, Eureeka's Castle and Blue's Clues. NYS Learning Standards fulfilled: Arts 1, Science LE 1,3,4,5,6,&7, PS 1,2 &3

Schools & Trees   for all ages

TreesNY supplies and helps students plant trees on school property free of charge. Each tree planted will be "One In A Million" and can be registered with Mayor Bloomberg's MillionTreesNYC initiative.

A TreesNY representative will visit the school, meet with the principal, custodian, teachers and/or parent association members, analyze the site and suggest the tree that would work best. Together with the school, TreesNY will plan a festive tree planting event involving each classroom that will be planting and adopting a tree. Students will receive a lesson about New York’s urban forest, the importance of trees and how to care for them. Learning materials include TreesNY's Schools & Trees Activity Handbook. NYS Learning Standards fulfilled: Science LE1, 5

Trees? Who cares?   for all ages

An interactive presentation with Mrs. Crabapple, the cantakerous puppet who hates trees. It takes some convincing, but students are usually able to change Mrs Crabapple’s mind about trees. Topics covered are benefits of trees to the NYC environment, tree biology, tree identification, street tree care, tree problems and how we can help, tree advocacy and New York City environmental issues.