PRESCOTT – Under the leadership of K-5 STEM teacher Karey Sizemore, Prescott is one of 70 elementary, middle, and high schools across the United States to earn recognition through the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus K-12 program.

The Arbor Day Foundation is the largest member- ship nonprofit organization dedicated to tree planting. Its Tree Campus K-12 program, launched last year, encourages educators to create meaningful opportunities for students to interact with trees.

“Spending time in nature sparks children’s imaginations, improves their mental and physical health, and shapes them into lifelong environmental stewards,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “We are thrilled to see schools lead the way in this important work.”

To earn this distinction, Prescott elementary schools met four goals to: Maintain a Tree Campus team that is dedicated to achieving recognition Create an education plan that connects students to trees and their global benefits Ouer a hands-on experi ence that engages students in trees and the community Hold an Arbor Day observance to celebrate trees within the school or the community “Outdoor Education has become an important part of our STEM program; giving all our students the opportunity to explore our natural surroundings builds curiosity and interest in life sciences and expands appreciation of the land around us. Something as permanent and long term as planting trees reminds students of these lessons for years into the future,” said Sizemore.

The recognized schools span 31 states. In the first year of the program, more than 15,000 students participated in an Arbor Day celebration, and nearly 30,000 trees were planted.

To learn more and see the full list of recognized schools, visit arborday.org/ K12.

Submitted by Prescott School District