Learning with Trees
Schools around the state of Minnesota form Green Teams of teachers, staff and parents to create sustainable outdoor learning areas on their grounds. Their students gain hands-on experience with the natural world when they plant trees together and watch them grow. Youth develop an ethic of environmental stewardship to take with them as they grow, and they leave behind an outdoor learning space for future classes to experience.
2009 Program Highlights
- Engaged 3,485 students from six elementary, junior and senior high schools
- 63 Green Team members volunteered a total of 373 hours
- 109 Planting Day volunteers contributed a total of 360 hours of service
- 167 trees and 114 shrubs were planted on schools grounds
- Newly created outdoor classrooms also included wildlife areas, weather station, tree study areas, arboretums and outdoor seating areas
Check out our 2008-2009 Learning with Trees Program Report (PDF) for more accomplishments.
“We are very grateful that you came and helped us plant the trees. Thanks for helping Weaver Lake School become more beautiful."
-2007-2008 Learning with Trees student
Recent News & Stories
Program Components
The Learning with Trees program is designed to set up schools with comprehensive, sustainable environmental science programs that transform school grounds into living laboratories for experiential learning.
Partner schools experience these five program components:
Our Town Trees
Students learn about the importance of trees to their local community while interacting with this hands-on exhibit.
Tree Trunks
Each school receives a tree trunk of lesson plans, outdoor activities and environmental education tools that helps teachers incorporate environmental learning into their standard curriculum.
Green Teams
Tree Trust helps each school form a committed team of parents, teachers and other school personnel who help plan an outdoor learning area and get their colleagues excited about long-term environmental learning.
Outdoor Learning Areas
Tree Trust works with each school's Green Team to create a landscape plan that meets their educational and environmental needs. The plan becomes a reality during an all-school event where students dig holes, plant trees, mulch and water the new plantings and celebrate their school's committment to the environment.
Learning with Trees Newsletters
Over 160 schools that have participated in Learning with Trees receive our seasonal e-newsletter, which provides lesson plans, learning projects and information on maintenance of an outdoor learning area.
Partner Schools
Tree Trust invites Minnesota schools to apply to bring outdoor environmental science to their curricula with Learning with Trees. The program is funded by foundation grants and corporate sponsorships, so there are no fees charged to schools for participation in the program.
Submit a Learning with Trees Partner School application to be considered as a partner school for the 2009-2010 school year.
Learning with Trees Partner School application
Are you a Green Team member or affiliate of a partner school?
If you're not already receiving the Learning with Trees e-newsletter, click below to subscribe.
2008-2009 Partner Schools
Tree Trust thanks these schools for participating in Learning with Trees during the 2008-2009 school year.
- Bell Center School
- Cambridge Intermediate School
- Jefferson Community School
- Minnehaha Elementary School
- Southview Elementary School
- Two Harbors High School
- Washington Elementary School
Program Sponsors
Sponsoring a partner school is a unique way for companies to demonstrate their commitment to greening the communities in which they do business and to gain recognition for being good corporate citizens.
Tree Trust thanks our 2007-2008 Learning with Trees funders.
- CenterPoint Energy
- Connexus Energy
- Cooperative Light and Power
- Dakota Electric Association
- East Central Energy
- Great River Energy
- Smikis Foundation
To inquire about becoming a Learning with Trees program sponsor, please contact Tracie Huhn.
