As more information about the importance of trees becomes readily available, organizations are looking for ways to educate the public about the many benefits of trees.

One organization, the Oakvillegreen Conservation Association, an agency in Ontario, Canada that works to protect the environment and promote sustainable planning and urban forestry stewardship, created a program that teaches students about proper tree care and their benefits.

Initially funded by the Canadian Tree Fund, the Be an Oakville Tree Hero program is a tree education and planting program offered to schools and youth groups in Oakville since 1 February 2019, and provides students with an opportunity to learn about the importance of growing native trees and their impact on the environment.

“It engages students in environmental stewardship through learning about the benefits, challenges and threats our urban forest is facing and through participating in a native tree seed growing activity,” said Anelia Tichkova, the manager of community and school engagement for the association. “The action‐oriented approach of the program includes a number of outdoor tree stewardship events, and participants are invited to plant locally‐grown native tree seedlings from local seed sources back into the community and therefore, increase urban forest canopy and diversity.”

Tichkova said engaging students in environmental stewardship has always been a priority for Oakvillegreen.

“Having worked with Oakville schools for many years, we saw the need for a program that would support curriculum but also provide an opportunity for students to experience urban ecology right at their school and community, and to realize they can make a difference,” she said. “We were hoping to design a program that would ultimately help youth gain appreciation of and protect our valuable urban forest.”

So far, the agency estimates they’ve reached approximately 1,230 students during its first campaign which lasted from 1 February to 30 June 2019. This includes various school groups on multiple grade levels, community youth groups such as Scouting groups, youth leadership groups and a youth hockey team.

Since the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, Oakvillegreen estimates more than 300 students have participated in the program.

“The Be an Oakville Tree Hero program has struck a very positive response within the Oakville schools,” Tichkova said. “Both teachers and students particularly like the fact that the focus of the program is on the local urban forest, the threats it faces and the actions that could be taken locally.”

During the program students participate in modules such as Calling All Tree Heroes where students learn more about Oakville’s urban forest and unique tree species, the Join the Tree Walk Challenge which gives kids the opportunity to explore the urban forest around their schools and neighborhoods while being led by Oakvillegreen staff person, and Plant to Enhance Oakville’s Urban Forest which allows students to participate in a tree planting event in the community.

“The project benefits Oakville's urban forest because students are involved locally in environmental stewardship by planting and caring for trees, and they gain a better understanding of the benefits of trees and their care and maintenance,” she said. “It is a wonderful opportunity for schools to establish or strengthen their partnerships with community organizations such as Oakvillegreen.”

Tichkova said the agency hopes to expand the program to high schools with greenhouses, so seedlings could benefit from longer growth times before planting out. Additionally, with the fall season, the program has modified to include seed identification, collection, stratification and seedling transplanting.

To learn more about the Oakvillegreen Conservation Association or the Be an Oakville Tree Hero program please visit Oakvillegreen.org.