Students Plant 28 Trees at Community of Saints in West Saint Paul on Tree Trust’s Learning With Trees™ Planting Day
Students at Community of Saints Regional Catholic School (COS) in West Saint Paul got their hands in the soil during a special Tree Trust Learning With Trees™ planting day, an experience that blends hands-on learning with lasting impact.
How Learning With Trees™ Brings Outdoor Learning to Schools
Students learned about the importance of urban forests, environmental stewardship, and how trees support cleaner air and healthier communities. With a new understanding and appreciation for the impact of trees, Community of Saints students worked with Tree Trust staff, volunteers, and their classmates to plant 28 new trees on the school grounds.
Tree planting day channeled student excitement at just the right time. “The tree planting day itself was a day full of energy as we launched into the last month of school,” shared Natalie Hartung, Director of Advancement, Marketing, and Enrollment at Community of Saints. “Teachers loved that they could walk right out to their tree and the volunteers and (Tree Trust) employees were there to lead the project.”
“What stood out about the planting day was how organized the event was,” said Hartung. “As a school, we have a lot of outside organizations that come with a variety of programs. We were so impressed with how Tree Trust was well organized, good at communicating, and great with students.”
Memorable Learning and Growing Community on School Grounds
Students were not just observers of their environment. They were active participants in shaping it and making it part of the school’s story.
To complete each planting, classrooms named their tree, with some trees named in honor of Community of Saints teachers. One classroom named their tree in honor of their teacher who had recently gone on maternity leave. After learning the baby’s name, the students chose to name their tree after her. “Now, (baby) Lydia will have a special tree here at COS that can grow up with her,” said Hartung.
In another moment of connection, Tree Trust staff were delighted to observe a class complete their tree planting by decorating the mulch ring with dandelions. These gestures of connection, and the welcoming of new trees to the school grounds, demonstrate impact far beyond planting day itself. By the end of the planting day, the school grounds were not just greener, they were filled with new meaning, connection, and pride.
“This experience made memories for our students. Not only did they get to learn a little about trees, but they now get to have a little more ownership in the school. Whenever students are outside, they make sure to point out their class’s tree. I’ve also noticed our summer program has students pointing out to others which tree was theirs. Students not only made memories with this experience, but now have a bigger sense of pride for our grounds as well,” said Hartung.
The Lasting Impact of Urban Forestry Education and School Tree Planting Program
Tree Trust’s purpose and vision to grow the urban canopy, transforming lives and landscapes, come to life in places like Community of Saints, where the school is especially excited to see how the trees will transform the grounds over time.
While Community of Saints feels fortunate to have a large outdoor space, it’s always been very sunny. “Even the smallest amount of shade that is provided by the trees right now has been argued over for who gets to stand in it,” shared Hartung. “It brings us such joy to see that shade will be available for students! We have been shade-free for too long, but won’t be for too much longer!”
Beyond the comfort shade will bring, the trees also represent environmental renewal. “We had to cut down several trees because of emerald ash borer and many of the trees in our neighborhood also suffered,” said Hartung. After losing ash trees to an invasive species, planting 28 new, varied, trees brings both ecological diversity and renewed beauty to the school and the neighboring community.
In the years to come, the trees planted will provide more than ecological diversity, shade, and beauty. They will continue to nurture a sense of belonging, stewardship, and community for every student who helped plant them.
Bringing the Classroom Outdoors and Creating Teachable Moments
Along with bringing cost-free trees to Community of Saints with its Learning With Trees™ program, Tree Trust also installed benches to create a new outdoor learning and gathering space for the school.
“The very next day that they were installed, classes were able to go out and learn outside,” said Hartung. The space is also supporting the school summer program that works with University of Minnesota gardeners. These enhancements are helping reimagine what learning can look like by making it more dynamic, flexible, and closer to nature.
More About Tree Trust’s Learning With Trees™ Program
About Tree Trust
Tree Trust’s mission is to transform lives and landscapes by engaging people to build skills for meaningful careers, inspiring people to plant trees, and making our community a greener, healthier place to live.
