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.
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 stewardship program for elementary, middle and high school students
Hands-on tree stewardship activities include removing litter from tree beds, pulling invasive weeds, cultivating soil, mulching, watering, planting flowers and installing “Curb Your Dog” signs. Students are encouraged to adopt the trees they work on to continue on-going tree stewardship. Learning materials: TreesNY’s Street Tree Activity Book or TreesNY’s Tree Advocacy Handbook.
Schools and Trees Program
A tree planting and stewardship program for elementary, middle and high school students
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. TreesNY supplies all trees and tools and plants them with the students on their school’s property. Learning materials: TreesNY's Schools & Trees Activity Handbook.
Young Urban Forester
A certificate program for middle and high school students
The Young Urban Forester achieves a working knowledge of tree identification, tree biology and tree stewardship while being introduced to professional opportunities in the environmental field. Students receive hands-on field training and use of technologies commonly used in environmental analysis and an opportunity to adopt trees. Learning materials: Young Urban Forester manual.
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 making puppets, writing and performing songs, dances or plays, drawing cartoons or creating art and sculpture to explore and investigate the world of trees and environmental issues.
This program is presented by our resident artist, Cheryl Blaylock, whose credits include puppeteering on Sesame Street, Eureeka’s Castle and Blue’s Clues/Room.
A Visit with Mrs Crabapple
For elementary school students
Mrs. Crabapple, the cantankerous puppet who hates trees, makes visits to classrooms as a part of our Tree Stewardship, Tree Planting or Art of Science programs. 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 credits include puppeteering on Sesame Street, Eureeka’s Castle and Blue’s Clues/Room.
