STOP and enjoy the shade

Department of Agriculture picks two local schools for campus tree-planting program

By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com

Usually, you don’t want to hear about “something shady” going on at one of your local schools, let alone two, but when it’s the Arkansas Department of Agriculture up to the “dirty” deed, it’s something to be happy about.

The Forestry Division announced Friday it has chosen nine schools, including some in Northeast Arkansas, to participate in the 2023 Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) program.

The selected schools include one each from two local school districts. In West Memphis, Faulk Elementary will be on the receiving end of the greenery glow-up, while in Marion, the Math, Science & Technology Magnet School was selected for the project.

Other schools chosen were:

• Bob Folsom Elementary School, Farmington

• Linda Childers Knapp Elementary School, Springdale

• Greene County Tech Primary School, Paragould

• Little Martians Learning Center, Springdale

• Two Rivers Elementary School, Ola

• Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Family Services Residential Childcare, Monticello

• White County Central Bear Cub Preschool, Judsonia “The STOP Program combines hands-on, outdoor experiences with classroom curriculum about the importance of trees and how to care for them,” said Kristine Kimbro, Urban and Community Forestry Program coordinator.

“We hope this program not only improves the health of Arkansas students but leaves a lasting impression about the value of forests and how to be good stewards of our natural resources.”

According to Friday’s news release, to participate in the STOP program, schools must meet the following criteria:

• lack of shade on a school playground

• participate in an online STOP workshop for educators on October 2, 2023

• use provided curriculum materials to emphasize the importance of trees during the week(s) leading up to the treeplanting event

• involve students in tree-related projects that culminate with a school-wide tree-planting ceremony

• hold a tree-planting ceremony prior to December 21, 2023 (can be held with limited attendance and live streamed or recorded for later playback to a larger audience)

• be willing to maintain the trees after planting

About the STOP Program

The Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) Program was organized to lower adult skin cancer risk by reducing childhood exposure to direct sunlight where children play, like school and daycare playgrounds.

Selected schools receive up to five shade trees, mulch, watering supplies, and planting guidelines after participating in program training. Forestry Division personnel assist with the transport and planting of the trees.

The Forestry Division selects up to 10 schools to participate in STOP each year. Selected schools will receive:

See SHADE, page A2 SHADY

From page A1

ing ceremony prior to December 21, 2023 (can be held with limited attendance and live streamed or recorded for later playback to a larger audience)

• be willing to maintain the trees after planting

About the STOP Program

The Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) Program was organized to lower adult skin cancer risk by reducing childhood exposure to direct sunlight where children play, like school and daycare playgrounds. Selected schools receive up to five shade trees, mulch, watering supplies, and planting guidelines after participating in program training. Forestry Division personnel assist with the transport and planting of the trees.

The Forestry Division selects up to 10 schools to participate in STOP each year. Selected schools will receive:

• Five large hardwood trees.

The species of tree each school receives will depend on the location of the school.

• instruction on how to plant and maintain the trees.

Forestry Division personnel will help schools prepare for tree planting and will be present to supervise the planting.

• Assistance from Forestry Division personnel, who will talk to students and community members about the importance of trees to people and to the environment.

• Recognition in local media.

Applicants may be any public or private Arkansas school serving grades pre-K through 12, or a non-traditional educational facility such as a juvenile detention center, residential childcare institution, or long-term care facility that has a playground in need of more shaded areas.

To learn more about or to apply for the STOP program, visit agriculture.arkansas.gov.