Why are Trees important?
Context:
Happy Earth Week everyone! This activity will be exploring the relationship between trees and health as we lead up to Earth Day tomorrow.
Goals: Age Group: 6-12
Examine the importance of trees in urban areas as
they relate to human health and wellbeing
Develop critical thinking skills regarding community
assets and methods of improving health
Supplies: Time: 30 minutes
Optional: Access to a social media account
Instructions:
This activity will consist of watching a 3-minute video, reading a short article, and answering reflection questions. Optionally, you can respond to this blog or the corresponding social media post (if you’re of age or with the assistance of an adult).
Please start by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKyvGHycngM
Next, please read this brief article:
https://phys.org/news/2019-07-urban-trees-mental-health.html
Finally, look out a window or door near you. How many trees do you see? Is there a tree within 100 feet of your home?
Reflection Questions:
What is particulate matter? How does it impact human health?
.How does the presence of trees impact air quality in cities like Detroit?
How does the presence of trees affect humans’ mental health? Do you feel
Did you feel that trees were important to your community before the video and article? Do you feel differently about trees now? Why or why not?
What benefits of trees and other plants do you think are important to your community? Why?
Do you think that your community should have more trees? Why or why not?
OPTIONAL: Respond to this blog post or the corresponding social media post with your answer to Question #6.
OPTIONAL: If you’re interested in requesting that a tree be planted between the sidewalk and street in front of your home, check out the 10,000 UP Tree Initiative offered by the City of Detroit at the link below: https://detroitmi.gov/departments/general-services-department/tree-services
Activist spotlight:
Nathan Ayers is founder of We Are The Forest, a STEM+Nature connection training platform. Their mission is to help create a new generation of nature-based problem solvers, ready to innovate solutions in the new green economy workforce, in addition to creating native "Tree Libraries" at K-12 schools. The tree libraries become living/learning laboratories for students to research, train and work with for decades, while providing needed water and soil conservation, carbon sequestration, pollinator habitat, and healthy edible fruits and nuts.