Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas’s Forestry Division is rolling out an invitation to educational institutions around the state to take part in a meaningful environmental project. Open for applications through September 27, 2024, the Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) initiative gives schools the chance to add natural shade trees to enhance their playgrounds and outdoor learning areas.
Courtesy of Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division
(Forestry Division)
Originally launched 22 years ago, the STOP program has been dedicated to minimizing children’s exposure to dangerous UV radiation during crucial developmental stages, thus lowering their risk of skin cancer. This program complements the continuous work of the Forestry Division to raise environmental awareness among young Arkansans. The program has helped about 175 schools so far, turning their open areas into better, healthier learning places.
Along with necessary materials including mulch and watering tools, participating schools will get up to five natural shade trees. Staff members of the Forestry Division will also assist with planting, resulting in a unique tree-planting ceremony including students that not only informs but also involves them in useful environmental stewardship.
Courtesy of Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division
(Forestry Division)
Kristine Kimbro, Urban & Community Forestry Coordinator, emphasized the dual benefits of the program.
“From the hands-on experience of planting their own tree to engaging classroom lessons, the STOP program provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the benefits of shade trees. Our hope is that this program will not only benefit students’ health but also foster a lasting appreciation for our natural resources to carry with them as they grow into homeowners and community leaders,” Kimbro said in a press release.
The trees chosen for planting—sycamores, oaks, tulip poplars, black gums—are specifically picked to fit the particular local conditions and provide the greatest possible growth results. The program’s instructional element also gives teachers tools to include courses on the environmental advantages of trees, their part in lowering health risks, and the need of continuous tree maintenance.
Program eligibility runs outside conventional classroom environments. Applications are encouraged from any public or private school serving grades pre-K through 12 as well as non-traditional educational establishments such as residential childcare centers or juvenile detention centers in Arkansas.
Courtesy of Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division
(Forestry Division)
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Interested schools must satisfy various requirements including proving a lack of shade in play areas, attending a forthcoming STOP workshop on October 10, 2024, and organizing a school-wide tree-planting ceremony before December 20, 2024. On the website of the Forestry Division, comprehensive instructions and application forms provide a clear road for schools to improve their outdoor areas and support the health and well-being of their children.
