Officially launched in October 2007 by New York Restoration Project (NYRP) and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, MillionTreesNYC is a citywide, public-private initiative with an important and ambitious goal: to plant and care for one million new trees across the city’s five boroughs by 2017. A priority of PlaNYC – Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s long-term sustainability blueprint – MillionTreesNYC brings many environmental, health, social and economic benefits to city life.
MillionTreesNYC is also introducing students and adults to public education campaigns that promote tree planting and stewardship, inviting New Yorkers of all ages to get involved in this citywide initiative. The New York City Parks Department, NYRP, the New York City Department of Education and respected environmental educators have developed innovative community and school-based education programs that promote greater awareness and stewardship of the city’s urban forest.
NYRP’s RespecTree program is designed for schools that have space to plant 10 or more trees across their campus and have a middle school (i.e., fourth-, fifth- or sixth-grade) class or after-school program interested in participating in a three-month, six-session program that incorporates life and earth science standards and involves students in the design, planting and care of a greener schoolyard.
Throughout the course of the school year, students are led by NYRP and partner public school and community-based educators in a series of lessons and individual assignments that teach them the role of trees in urban communities and empower them to identify, actualize and maintain tree-planting and greening opportunities in their schoolyard or playground. Students participate in a range of activities and field trips that investigate the impact of plantings surrounding their school on water systems, air quality and human and animal life. The session culminates in a schoolyard planting day and celebration, which includes lessons for long-term tree care and maintenance.
To learn more about additional MillionTreesNYC youth education programs, click here.