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Trees in Communities
Tree Campus K-12
Tree Campus K-12 recognizes schools that lead the way in tree stewardship. When you make trees part of your curriculum and your campus, you make your school a better place to learn and live.
Growing together
We believe in a future made better by trees. That’s the world today’s K-12 students will inherit, so ensuring they understand the power of trees today will make all the difference tomorrow.
Tree Campus exists to illuminate the beauty and benefits of trees for the next generation. By creating learning experiences in and out of the classroom, you can set your school apart as a leader, and set your students and community up for an even brighter future.
How it works
The Tree Campus Journey
To earn your first year of Tree Campus recognition, you'll build and implement your plan to meet the four program goals during the school year, submit your application in the spring, and celebrate as you return to school in the fall. It helps to create your account now, so you can build and document your materials as you go.
Become a Tree Campus
Prepare
Sharpen Your Pencils
Pop quiz: is your school ready to become a Tree Campus? Good news, we’ve got a simple quiz to help you find out. The Readiness Quiz gives you a good baseline of what to expect and how to get started.
Build Your Dream Team
Gather a crew of students and staff to help dream, plan and execute. Start with your school’s recycling or gardening clubs, and think about engaging your Parent-Teacher Organization. A good first step for your team: create your account and start your application, so you know what to plan for.
Explore Ideas, Activities, and Lesson Plans
As the school year gets into full swing, start incorporating tree-related content and experiences into your education plans. Looking for a place to start? Our Learning Hub has a curated library of lesson plans, activities, and guides for all grade levels.
Create a Hands-On Experience
Now it’s time to get some dirt under your fingernails. In addition to classroom lessons, it’s critical that students have an in-person, hands-on experience of planting and caring for trees. You can partner with local forestry organizations, and may even find a project to beautify your own campus. Don’t forget to take photos of the event for your application!
Celebrate Arbor Day as a Community
You’ve worked hard all year, so what better time to celebrate than Arbor Day? Most states celebrate Arbor Day in the spring, and observing the big day is part of the Tree Campus experience. Use it as a time to celebrate your school’s accomplishment, maybe even honoring students or staff who led your efforts.
Finalize Your Application
Tree Campus applications close at the end of the school year, but you can upload documentation of activities and events throughout the year. Once everything’s in, click submit, and we’ll be in touch.
You Did It! What’s Next?
If your application is approved, you can start sharing your accomplishments with your school and community leading into the next school year. Take some time to celebrate with your team. And now that you have the momentum of being an official Tree Campus, start looking ahead to next year and dream about how to grow your program – and your impact.
Why become a Tree Campus
Create a sustainable learning environment
Education is about more than ABCs – it’s also about giving students a community to care for and connect with. Tree Campus schools build that connection and show students how to make real impact.
Get recognized
When you earn recognition, you'll receive signage and other physical and digital recognition materials to share your commitment to the future of tree stewardship. This recognition helps your school stand out as a leader.
Get connected
As a Tree Campus, you’ll join a network of other schools and facilities committed to a healthier future, so you can share ideas and opportunities.
Stay informed
Get news and updates about recognition programs, plus new ideas for your school.
Building Consensus – And Momentum
Adopting a new program requires buy-in from across your school, and possibly your district. We’ve developed resources to help you make the case, so your program gets the support it needs from everyone.
The Campus Connection
Tree Campus K-12 is just one Tree Campus program. We also recognize partners in healthcare and higher education, creating a nationwide network of campuses that care for trees.
In addition to making your own community shine, being a Tree Campus makes you part of a nationwide network of schools making an impact across the country.
28
States with a Tree Campus K-12
84
Recognized schools
6,272
Trees planted or distributed
11,385
Students involved in an Arbor Day celebration
Case study
“The goals of Tree Campus K–12 highlight how to help our students, families, and neighbors learn about and honor trees, which are critical to our health as a community.”
Learn about one of our favorite success stories: The Abington Friends School’s Tree Campus.
What Schools Like Yours are Saying
Tree Campus Resources
Educators, parents, and community members can all play a role in supporting your Tree Campus. Here are some helpful tools to get started.
Readiness quiz
The best place to start. Find out what your school needs in order to get off the ground.
Create an account
It’s never too early! Open an account now to make your application process easy.
Education Plan Template
Get started with a free template for laying out your education plan.
Learning hub
Bring trees into your classroom with this collection of lesson plans and activities.
Nominate a school
Tell us about a potentially great Tree Campus partner and we’ll help them get started.
Find a local arboretum
An arboretum is where trees are grown for study and public viewing, often with educational programs.
Tree care education
We offer comprehensive tree care tips to guide you through selecting and maintaining the right tree.
Find a local tree expert
Arborists are professionals skilled in caring for trees and ensuring their long-term health.
Project Learning Tree
An award-winning environmental program with curriculum and local resources for classrooms.
Celebrate Arbor Day
Find your state's Arbor Day date, history, celebration ideas, educational resources, and more.
Local conservation district
Find your local conservation district for Tree Campus K-12 support.
Apply today
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 ready and start your plan.
Tree Campus K-12 Collaborators
Tree Campus K-12 is an Arbor Day Foundation Program in cooperation with Project Learning Tree and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
Sign up
Stay Informed
Our Community Forestry Connection newsletter keeps you up to date on programs, best practices, and opportunities for conservation leadership.
