TreesNY’s Youth Environmental Literacy Programs educate and inspire New York City youth through hands-on activities and classroom studies. Students expand their knowledge of the environment while advancing their reading, language and investigative skills. TreesNY offers in-school, after-school and summer youth education programs for students K-12. Several New York State Learning Standards can be fulfilled by participating in our programs. TreesNY’s innovative curriculum is customized to accommodate students’ age, schedules and learning styles. TreesNY focuses on underperforming schools and afterschool programs that work with low-income students.
Students learn about the benefits of trees, tree care, tree biology, tree identification and invasive insects. Students are encouraged to adopt leadership roles to protect, enhance and advocate for their neighborhood environmental resources.
TREE STEWARDSHIP
A tree bed stewardship program for elementary, middle and high school students
Hands-on tree stewardship activities include removing litter from tree beds, cultivating and mulching soil, watering, tree bed gardening and installing “Curb Your Dog” signs.
TREE PLANTINGS
A tree planting and stewardship program for elementary, middle and high school students
TreesNY supplies trees and helps students plant them on their school’s property. TreesNY plans a festive tree planting event and a lesson about New York City’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, 5.1
ASSEMBLIES
A 30-45 minute puppet show for elementary school students
Our fun, interactive school assemblies feature a special appearance by Mrs. Crabapple, the cantankerous puppet who hates trees. It takes some convincing, but with the help of the students, Mrs. Crabapple comes to understand how important trees are to us and our environment.
This program is presented by our resident artist, Cheryl Blaylock, whose extensive credits include puppeteering on Sesame Street, Eureeka’s Castle and Blue’s Room.
THE ART OF SCIENCE
A creative approach to lessons on the environment for elementary, middle and high school students
Students create original works of art such as writing and performing songs, dances or plays, drawing cartoons or creating art and sculpture to demonstrate their knowledge of trees and environmental issues.
YOUNG URBAN FORESTER
A career development & community stewardship program for middle and high school students
The Young Urban Forester learns to think about the local environment not just as a topic of study, but as a viable and compelling career choice. High school students are introduced to the myriad of professional opportunities in the environmental fields as they meet professionals, receive hands on field training and use the technologies commonly used in environmental analysis including GPS and GIS. Click here to apply.
NYS Learning Standards fulfilled: Science 5.1
