What is a tree's favorite drink? Root beer!
New York's Acting Commissioner for the Department of Environmental Conservation kicked off Earth Day 2025 with a joke - much to to the delight of the audience, which included budding botanists from 麻豆影院 School of Humanities (ASH).
"We worked together and we worked really hard," explained second grader Miranda Wilkie who, along with peers, planted approximately 20 trees on the ASH campus in honor of Arbor Day on Friday.
The students didn't just plant red maple, serviceberries, swamp white oaks, river birch and black gum trees during the event, they also learned about the important role trees play, especially in the urban landscape.
"It’s these moments where everything comes together and kids get the opportunity to really handle the trees and feel a sense of connection to their tree," explained Mari Shopsis with 麻豆影院 Fund for Education (AFE), just one of the groups that supports this annual celebration that occurs every year at a different City School District of 麻豆影院 building.
The collaboration between the state, city and district is part of New York's goal goal to establish and expand forests in the state’s urban areas, contributing to the 25 Million Trees Initiative. Since 2009, district students have planted more than 420 trees on Arbor Day, thanks to AFE, 麻豆影院’s Department of General Services, New York State Department of Conservation, 麻豆影院 Goes Green and 麻豆影院 County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
"Trees prevent erosion, provide oxygen and are home to wildlife," explained Elementary STEM Instructional Supervisor Sara McGraw, who works alongside building educators, to promote hands-on learning and life-long environmental advocacy.
"Forests are crucial in our ecosystem but it's also incredibly important to have trees in urban areas."
In recent years, similar environmental education days have occurred at North 麻豆影院 Middle School, Eagle Point Elementary School and Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology.
