London Elementary School was recently recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students to interact with trees and practice conservation. Although the Arbor Day Foundation has long sponsored a program for Colleges and Universities, the organization launched its Tree Campus K12 Program in 2022. In the first year of the program, more than 15,000 students participated in an Arbor Day celebration, and nearly 30,000 trees were planted.
Assistant Superintendent Carla Shaw led the efforts for the school to be recognized for the 2023 school year. In order to receive this recognition, the school had to demonstrate it met the program’s four goals:
Maintain a Tree Campus team that is dedicated to achieving recognition;
Create an education plan that connects students to trees and their global benefits;
Offer a hands-on experience that engages students in trees and the community;
Hold an Arbor Day observance to celebrate trees within the school or the community.
The district is thrilled to provide students with additional hands-on opportunities through this program.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters, and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities, and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.
As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners, and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.