Tree Connections is a project-based curriculum consisting of four classroom lessons and one fieldtrip with the purpose of educating participating students about the economic, environmental, psychological and aesthetic benefits of urban forests, plant biology, and the advantages of responsible land stewardship for both people and the other living things in their community. The Tree Connections projectworks with three classrooms from Pioneer Elementary in Arlington School District and four classrooms from Cedarcrest Middle School in Marysville School District.
Students visit a city-owned park with both an urban forest and a salmon-bearing stream where they test water quality, make their own plant guides, and use GPS units to create maps and accurate recordings of where trees are already located in the park and should be added to communicate recommendations to their respective city’s staff! Students end their fieldtrip with a small scale tree-planting which they are able to visit for years to come. They leave having left a lasting impact on their city’s parks and overall health of their community!
Lesson List:
- Sorting it Out – lesson plan
- Sorting it Out – Worksheet for Stream Macroinvertebrates
- Sorting it Out – Plant Key Worksheet
- How Do Trees Affect Erosion – lesson plan
- How Do Trees Affect Erosion – worksheet
- Tree Connections Fieldtrip – worksheet
- Tree Futures – worksheet
Funding for Tree Connections is provided by Washington State Department of Natural Resources, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Anne and Mary Arts and Environmental Education Fund and the First Heritage Bank Employee Giving Fund.
Partners include City of Marysville, City of Arlington and Snohomish County Surface Water Management.