Students Have Unique Indiana Tree Project Experience

In April, almost 100 students from St. Pius X School in Indianapolis flooded off a pair of buses at Ravinia State Forest. The group made the trip for the unique opportunity of participating in a tree planting in partnership with the DNR Division of Forestry and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF).

In addition to growing Indiana’s forests, the event provided the students with important knowledge and experiences that they are sure to remember forever. The educational day started with a trek through the forest to the planting site.

A student plants a sapling with help from Forestry staff.

As the students, spanning from grades 1-8, marched up the gravel path, they were excited by the natural world they were exploring. Questions immediately began flowing as they wondered about the trees and other flora, as well as the insects that surrounded them. With the dense forest towering above, one student remarked that they couldn’t wait for their tree to be that big.

The opportunity for children to touch, feel, and smell nature provides valuable learning experiences. Just the short time the students spent outside prompted questions and thought-provoking comments that can formulate into lifelong interests and passions.

“Forests are a great place to learn and discover our natural world,” said Donna Rogler, DNR forestry education specialist.  “It is important for students to begin to learn about our forests while still in school in order to understand the many values and benefits forests provide. Critical thinking, complex systems relationships, and cross-curricular connections are all involved in learning about forests.”

Students learn about the trees, planting process, and forest management.

Once at the site, students gathered to learn about the planting process and the importance of the work they were about to begin. Attentive and engaged, the students learned how healthy forest management provides countless benefits and is necessary to both humans and wildlife. After the students broke into small groups, the teams worked with forestry staff to plant the saplings. Truly enjoying the experience, the children raced to plant as many trees as they could in their short time.

“The education instilled a greater sense of purpose in them as they engaged in planting the tree seedlings,” said Deborah Hamel, nurture nature leader and parent at St. Pius X School. “It would be amazing if these children could return to the same planting spot one to three years from now so they can witness just how quickly their trees will grow and develop a canopy so they can fully grasp the impact that they can make on the world around us.”

After taking a break for lunch, the students toured Indiana Woods on Wheels. The traveling interactive exhibit provides information about forests in the Hoosier state. Inside, the students laughed and chatted as they explored features of the trailer, which include topics such as forest history, management, and the benefits of healthy forests for wildlife.

Students explore the interactive exhibits in Indiana Woods on Wheels.

The event kicked off the busy spring tree planting schedule for the Division of Forestry and INRF. Traditionally, the tree plantings are supported by volunteers from corporate sponsors, making this event unique for all parties involved.

“I just really liked it,” said Cole, a first grader, when asked about the experience. “I got to help nature and also I liked making trees for different species of animals.”

The children left the forest that day with more than great memories. Each student got back on the bus with their own sapling that they could plant at home. Many parents shared that their children were ecstatic to plant their own trees, noted Hamel.

It is essential that children be exposed to outdoor education and recreation to create the next generation of conservation leaders. As the students age, the trees they planted will age alongside them, providing a meaningful connection to the natural world and Indiana’s public lands.

While this school-group-based tree planting served as a pilot project for INRF and the Division of Forestry, we still welcome organizations and individuals who wish to get involved. When you donate to the Indiana Tree Project, you will receive an official tree certificate that includes coordinates to the location where your tree will be planted. If your organization is interested in learning more about a tree planting, please contact us.