2nd graders at Albany CSD plant trees for Arbor Day

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - In celebration of Arbor Day and Earth Week, the around 75 2nd graders from Albany School of Humanities in the Albany City School District planted trees on the school's lawn alongside city leaders. Mayor Kathy Sheehan joined in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of General Services, and other local environmental organizations to select a variety of trees and several locations on the school's property to plant the trees.

The students covered the trees with dirt and gave each tree a name. Prior to Arbor Day, the executive director of The Albany Fund for Education, Mari Shopsis, said the students read about the trees in their class and did activities to learn about their environmental benefits.

"Our teachers brought out a bunch of books about trees, so kids are reading about trees," Shopsis said. "They are counting the rings on the trees on what we call tree cookies so they can see how old the tree is. 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."

This celebration was also in partnership with Governor Kathy Hochul, who announced on Arbor Day her goal to establish and expand forests in the state's urban areas, contributing to the 2024 State of the State "25 Million Trees Initiative." The trees planted on the school's grounds will go towards the count of 25 million.

"People in Albany love their trees and we've been busy planting trees and we've been the recipient of many of the grants that both the state and at the federal level have been providing to ensure that we are replenishing our urban forests," Mayor Sheehan said.

The types of trees planted were red maple, serviceberries, swamp white oaks, river birch and black gum. A total of 18 to 25 trees were planted by students from three 2nd grade classes. This celebration involving students has been going on for roughly five years within the school district.