Shade Trees for Schools
The Shade Trees for Schools program provides technical assistance to schools, aiding them in selecting the “right tree for the right place”- ensuring trees are planted with long-term health in mind. We provide educational resources to connect DOE campus communities across the state to trees already living on their campus, as well as future trees they may add to their campus ʻohana.
As Kaulunani’s Campus Forester, Malia Staab visits schools and nurseries to create connections to trees within communities. Passionate about native species, she encourages schools to build a relationship to place through native plant restoration on their campuses.
Our Why
Leading urban forestry researchers recommend a minimum of 30% tree canopy cover to realize all the benefits trees provide (Konijnendijk, 2022). The vast majority of Hawaiʻiʻs schools and surrounding neighborhoods are well below that minimum. Planting trees on school campuses is not just a convenience, but a necessity for urban forest and human health.
Benefits of Trees on School Campuses
- Provide shade and cool the urban heat island effect; reducing cooling costs
- Mature trees remove carbon dioxide and pollutants from the air and reduce noise pollution
- Trees protect our watersheds by mitigating stormwater runoff and erosion
- Trees on campus help reduce mental and physical stress, encourage students to spend more time outdoors and have been linked with improved academic performance
- Create community and educational opportunity by connecting us to culture, food, and art
Challenges: Itʻs hard to be a tree in an urban area. Urban trees face threats from confined spaces, air and water pollution, soil compaction, urban heat, introduced pests, and poor management such as excessive pruning. Before planting on your campus, make a long-term tree health and care plan for your tree.
Where to Start
- Learn about the trees on your campus (contact Kaulunani Campus Forester with questions)
- Make a plan: who is invested (teachers, students, facility staff, administrators, parents, community)? How will you maintain long-term stewardship?
- Pick the “right tree for the right place”
- Consider planting native Hawaiian species and food producing trees
- Plan community planting or education events and have a long term care plan
Resources
Symphony for Hawaiiʻs Forests Teacher Resources
Hawaiʻi Forest Institute Go Native! Guides and Book
Tree City and Campus Information
Choosing the right tree:
Plant Pono – https://plantpono.org/
Select Tree – https://selectree.calpoly.edu/
Contact Us
Malia Staab, Campus Forester, email
Contact Forestry & Wildlife
