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 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
Campus trees offer opportunities for students to connect with local ecology, food systems, culture, and art. Mature trees provide shade for rest and play, reduce noise pollution, and remove carbon dioxide and pollutants from the air, providing a cleaner, calmer campus for students. Studies have shown that simply viewing trees and having basic access to green spaces outside the classroom can improve educational outcomes by reducing stress and improving students’ focus and attention spans.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of Hawaiʻi’s schools and surrounding neighborhoods have less than 30% tree canopy cover, which is the minimum amount for spaces to reap these benefits (Konijnendijk, 2022). Planting trees on school campuses can combat this absence, and is necessary for community and personal health.
Benefits of Trees on School Campuses
Campus trees provide students and staff with a number of benefits, including:
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- Shade and cooling the urban heat island effect; reducing cooling costs
- Mature trees remove carbon dioxide and pollutants from the air and reduce noise pollution
- 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
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 to help combat these obstacles.
Where to Start
From knowing what trees work for your campus to long-term care and maintenance, greening your campus can be an overwhelming process. That’s why we are here to help! Here are some first steps to get started.
Designing and building a plan for tree planting and care is an important step in achieving and maintaining the goals you have for your campus. Here are some things to consider fleshing out:
- Vision: What is your vision and goals for your campus? Consider cultural and educational goals, spatial and resource limitations, and infrastructure.
- Permissions: What policy and regulations will need to be implemented to ensure care is embedded in campus plans and operations? Have a conversation with your administration and facilities team about your planting vision.
- Stewardship: Who is involved in upkeep and care? What does long-term stewardship look like on your campus?
- How can students be involved in planting events and tree care? What will your district/curriculum allow? (mālama class periods, grade workdays, etc.)
- How can you involve the community in campus tree care? (i.e. community workdays, ʻohana days, etc.)
- Select the “right tree for the right place”: When looking for a tree, consider environmental conditions (soil, sun, water, infructure limitations) and how your tree will grow over time (size, shape, productivity of fruit or foliage).
- Have a planting event! Planting trees is an opportunity to engage students, facilities, teachers and administrators to foster a relationship between your community and campus tree(s). Having signage with tree information can be a way to have continued education after the planting event.
- Plan for the long term care of your tree, consider irrigation and tree protection needs as well as regular upkeep such as weeding and pruning.
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/
Tree Campus
Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus K-12 program inspires the next generation of tree stewards through experiences that bring the benefits of trees to life both inside and outside the classroom.
The program fosters positive connections between youth and the trees in their community and cultivates within its participants a lifelong respect for trees on a global scale.
Want your campus to become a Tree Campus? Learn more here!
Contact Us
Malia Staab, Campus Forester, email
Contact Forestry & Wildlife
