Mayor David Cohn and the Indian Trail Parks and Recreation Department are kicking off the 2022 Mayor’s Tree Education Initiative on April 12 to celebrate both Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 29).
The Mayor’s Tree Education Initiative teaches local fourth-grade students about the functions and benefits of urban forests, the important role trees play in our community, and the different types of trees native to our area. Students will also help plant a tree on their school’s property and receive a small tree to take home to plant.
Last year, the Mayor’s Tree Education Initiative was done virtually and had to be canceled altogether in 2020 because of COVID.
“We are excited to finally be back in the classroom this year. Not only are we working with our local teachers to educate our students on the importance of the tree canopy to our present and future, but we are strengthening the canopy one tree at a time by providing a sapling to every fourth grader,” said Hayden Kramer, Parks and Recreation Director. “We’ll also continue our tradition of planting trees at every campus we visit this year, helping to beautify our schools while also allowing students to receive first-hand training on how to care for their trees at home.”
The Town will plant 12 Eastern Redbuds, with two each at the following schools: Poplin, Antioch, Sardis, Shiloh Valley and Indian Trail elementary schools, and Union Preparatory Academy.
“The Mayor’s Tree Education Initiative was started by the late Mayor Michael Alvarez, and it is a tradition I am honored to continue,” said Mayor Cohn. “Our children are truly our future in so many ways, and it has been incredible to see how they have gotten involved and taken the lead in protecting our environment. We love hearing stories and seeing pictures of trees students have planted in years past that are thriving today.”