Climate Action
Schools Tree Day: The Time I Planted the Seeds at School
July 25, 2025
Dennis Nolasco, Education Coordinator
Schools Tree Day: The Time I Planted the Seeds at School
Date: March 2024
Weather: Chilly and crisp as an apple
Mood: Ecstatic
Today is Schools Tree Day, a great day to discuss how firsthand lessons can make a difference in the climate space.
Held annually on the last Friday of July, Schools Tree Day is part of Australia’s broader National Tree Day initiative. It’s a day when students of all ages get their hands in the soil and plant trees; supporting local biodiversity and taking direct climate action.
But it’s more than just planting. By pairing an outdoor activity with classroom learning, Schools Tree Day makes climate education tangible. Hands-on learning makes climate education more personal and memorable, connecting the lesson to real-world actions students can take. By using their own two hands, students not only contribute to their community, but deepen their understanding of ecosystems, the role of trees in carbon capture, and how local action can contribute to global change.
This past spring, EARTHDAY.ORG brought the spirit of Schools Tree Day to Neabsco Elementary School in Virginia, thanks to a partnership with Volkswagen Group of America. Our two organizations, along with the enthusiastic and helpful hands of these kids, planted dozens of fruit trees around the school’s campus.
It was a biting March morning when students at Neabsco Elementary School gathered around a newly dug hole. Led by a local tree expert, the students learned about best practices for planting the tree such as how to form a divot in the soil and making sure that the hole is deep enough for the roots to take hold. For many of them, it was their first time planting a tree.
Teachers integrated the project into their science and literacy lessons, teaching about the role of trees in combating climate change, improving air quality, and providing fresh fruit for the Neabsco Elementary community to eat. But perhaps the biggest impact came from the sense of pride the students felt in giving something back to the planet.
One teacher shared, “Some of our kids don’t get many opportunities to be outside or to feel like their actions matter. Planting this tree gave them a sense of purpose and now, every time they walk by, they’ll remember that they were part of something bigger.”
I was given a classroom of eager and excited third graders to help guide through the planting process. At first, they were hesitant to get their hands dirty—nervously hovering around the shovels, unsure of how to begin. A few wrinkled their noses at the smell of fresh soil, and one asked if worms were going to pop out. But once that first shovel of soil hit the ground—and the tree started to take shape, everything changed. Suddenly, students were taking turns digging, patting down mulch, and proudly announcing, “This one’s my tree!” Others asked how tall they’d grow, and whether birds would build nests in them.
In just one morning, you could see a transformation take place. Curiosity turned into confidence and planting turned into pride. It reminded me how natural it is for kids to care for the world around them when they’re given the opportunity. They didn’t just plant trees that day; they planted a sense of connection and responsibility that will grow along with every branch and leaf.
Growing the Movement
This project is just one example of how EARTHDAY.ORG stands to help schools turn climate education into climate action. From professional development for teachers to global policy campaigns, we are working to ensure that the next generation is not only informed but inspired.
To learn more about the root when education meets action, explore our Climate Education page for tools to bring climate literacy into your school community. If you are looking to take some tree action of your own, join us by supporting The Canopy Project to help reforest the planet. Together, we can grow a greener, more informed future.