Students at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic school in Grand Rapids put learning into practice and demonstrated stewardship for God's creation by planting trees this spring.
A group of 6th, 7th and 8th graders took a forestry elective last fall, taught by middle school language arts teachers Mrs. Deb Pieri and Mrs. Debra Zoppa. Mrs. Pieri and Mrs. Zoppa developed the forestry class after attending a week-long forestry workshop last summer near Grayling.
The class learned about trees and studied the urban forest in the neighborhood of Saint Thomas the Apostle. A guest expert from the Urban Forest Project (an initiative of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks in partnership with the City of Grand Rapids) took students to examine trees in nearby Wilcox Park and on the campus of Aquinas College.
Mrs. Pieri and Mrs. Zoppa also applied for a mini-grant from the Urban Forest Project to pay for planting about 10 trees. On May 5, 2017, the forestry elective students spent the afternoon getting guidance from members of the Urban Forest Project as they planted the trees, mainly along Youell Ave. SE, the westernmost edge of Wilcox Park.
The project inspired students to reflect on their role in caring for God's creation and ensuring that future generations have the chance to enjoy it.
"Some day I'm going to drive by here and say to my kids, 'I planted that tree myself,'" said student Anthony.
See pictures of the tree planting project here
Saint Thomas the Apostle serves more than 350 students in preschool through 8th grade. Learn more here.