Goal 1: Tree Campus Team
Build a team of students, staff, and community members to lead your school’s Tree Campus K–12 efforts.
Timeframe: Fall
Goal Description:
The Tree Campus Team brings together the champions who will guide your school’s progress toward Tree Campus K–12 recognition. This team ensures that tree-based learning, planning, and celebrations are collaborative and supported across the school community.
Your team must include at least one student and one school staff member. You may also include parents, administrators, or community members.
Meeting the Goal:
You can start with a group already active in environmental work—like a green team, garden club, or recycling group—or build a new team from scratch. Reach out to students and staff who are passionate about trees, sustainability, or school improvement. Keep the team size right-sized for your school and be sure to hold at least one meeting to introduce the Tree Campus K–12 goals and start planning together.
On Your Application You Will:
- List the adult members of your Tree Campus Team
- Report how often your Tree Campus Team meets throughout the year
Goal 2: Education Plan
Develop a plan to incorporate tree-focused education into your school.
Timeframe: Fall
Goal Description:
To earn recognition, your school must provide students with meaningful learning experiences about trees and their value. Your education plan should outline how and when students will engage in tree-based learning during the year. Activities can be as simple or robust as your school’s capacity allows.
This plan should fit the school's needs and could include a tree-focused classroom curriculum, outdoor activities, off-campus field trips, and more. This does not have to occur during the school day and does not need to include all students in the school.
A qualifying Education Plan must include the following:
- A clearly stated purpose.
- One or more tree-related learning experiences that the school (or individual classroom(s)) will focus on; If there are multiple, list each with a brief description and provide a timeline of implementation.
- The number of students engaged in tree-related learning activities; list any community members or organizations involved.
Meeting the Goal:
Start by identifying any existing tree or nature-based education already happening at your school. Look for natural fits within science, art, outdoor learning, or service projects. Not sure where to begin? Our Learning Hub has activity ideas and inspiration for all grade levels. Choose what works best for your schedule, students' interests, and capacity.
Learning Hub Education Plan Template
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Upload your Education Plan as an attachment.
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Report the total number of students engaged in tree-centric activities throughout the school year.
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Report the total number of trees planted or distributed throughout the school year (if any).
Goal 3: Hands-On Experience
Provide students with a hands-on experience that connects them with trees and their community.
Timeframe: Fall or Spring
Goal Description:
Students must participate in a meaningful, action-based experience that deepens their connection to trees and their role in the environment. This experience can take many forms—what matters most is that students are actively involved and learning through doing.
Activities may include (but are not limited to) planting or caring for trees, conducting a tree inventory, shadowing a forester, participating in a tree giveaway, or leading a tree-related presentation.
Meeting the Goal:
As you plan your experience, now is a great time to engage your community forestry contacts if you haven’t already. Can your students join forces with your municipal forestry department to help plant or inventory trees in the community? Can your students learn about urban and community forestry through job shadowing? Can your students help a local nonprofit tree organization with a tree planting or distribution event? Can your students visit a younger group of students and conduct a presentation on the benefits of trees in their community? Your hands-on experience can take many different forms—the key is to find what works best for your unique school community.
- Identify a few possible hands-on experience ideas and discuss the feasibility and impact of each.
- Choose the idea that will work best for your school this year.
- Engage partners in the community who can help make your experience happen and set a date.
- Complete your hands-on experience. Be sure to take plenty of pictures to document your event.
- Save your notes and plans. Record what went well and what you might do differently next year if you choose to repeat your experience again.
On Your Application You Will:
- Provide a date, summary, and number of students engaged in each tree-focused Hands-On Experience at your school.
- Attach at least one file (photo, lesson plan, flyer, etc.) as documentation of the experience.
Goal 4: Arbor Day Observance
Celebrate Arbor Day with your school community to highlight the importance of trees.
Timeframe: National Arbor Day or Your State's Arbor Day
Goal Description:
Your school must host or participate in a tree-focused celebration, which may take place on National Arbor Day, your state’s Arbor Day, or another time during the school year that works for your schedule. This can include a tree planting, assembly, tree giveaway, outdoor activity, or even a classroom celebration, as long as it highlights the value of trees and engages the school community.
Meeting the Goal:
Begin by checking if your school or city already plans a tree-related event you can join. If not, your Tree Campus Team can plan something new! Think about what kind of celebration fits your school culture. Keep it simple with a class activity, or go big with a tree planting, guest speakers, and student performances. Invite families or community partners if you’d like, and don’t forget to document the celebration with photos or stories.
- Meet with your Tree Campus Team and discuss how you’d like to celebrate Arbor Day. Does your school or community already celebrate the holiday in some way? This is a great place to start.
- Engage any partners that can help plan and coordinate your Arbor Day observance.
- Celebrate and document your event. This is a great time to update your school community on the progress toward becoming a recognized Tree Campus K–12 school.
On Your Application You Will:
- Provide the date of your Arbor Day Celebration, number of students engaged, and summary.
- Attach at least one file as documentation of your celebration (photo, flyer, social post, etc.)
Ready to Start?
When you create an account, you take an important step towards becoming a Tree Campus – even if you’re not ready to apply yet. Get the resources you need to get started.