Growing the next Tree Team generation
Friends of Trees and partners are providing job training and leadership skill-building opportunities for youth
Nature deficit disorder is real. It is unhealthy for young people and it is unhealthy for our community and the planet. Educating youth about nature through learning about and planting trees improves the personal health of the students and is creating the next generation of environmental stewards. Top this off with partnerships that include job-training and leadership skill-building and we’re making great strides in growing the next Tree Team generation.
Friends of Trees’ educational programming actively and meaningfully connects youth of all ages with nature while providing hands-on experiences with environmental work. Every year we engage more than 2,500 young people, from elementary school through high school.
Much of our work with youth involves project-based environmental education with at-risk high school students, providing minority, low-income and other under-served young people with hands on job-training and leadership skill-building activities. Students serve in leadership roles through planning, participating in, and leading planting and tree care events with community members throughout the Portland Metro and Salem Metro regions.
“The program creates a sense of belonging to something larger than themselves,” says Leigh Rappaport, Program Manager with project partner Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center. “The students feel that they’re doing something important by helping volunteers learn how to plant trees–and they’re also learning a lot about trees.”
Finish reading here, where you will find the entire November edition of Treemail, our monthly e-news. Want to catch up on past issues of Treemail? They’re here!
‘Tis Give!Guide Season!
Willamette Week’s Give!Guide runs November 1 through December 31st and is a great way to learn about organizations that are doing amazing
Trees & Health Symposium in Gresham on Nov 13
We all know that trees provide benefits to people and the communities they live in. But do you know how to care for trees to help them thrive,
Thank you for celebrating 30 years of trees + community with us!
We had such a wonderful time celebrating 30 years of trees + community with so many amazing friends and partners at our October 2nd party! We
Celebrate 30 years of trees + community with us!
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF TREES + COMMUNITY a fundraiser for Friends of Trees Wednesday, October 2 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. after-party 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.