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ONE TREE PER CHILD’ INITIATIVE

Personalized Tree Planting for Greening Schools: ‘One Tree per Child’ Initiative

Trees improve air quality by absorbing pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which are common in urban environments. By planting trees around schools, the initiative not only enhances green cover but also helps reduce the levels of air pollution that students are exposed to. The involvement of children in tree planting also has educational benefits. It raises awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship and empowers young people to take action in their communities. Moreover, green spaces in and around schools have improved students’ concentration, reduced stress, and created more pleasant learning environments.

Design

Each student participates in planting a tree tagged with their name in this initiative. This tag will include the student’s name, class, and the date the tree was planted. The name tag creates a personal connection between the student and the tree, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for the tree’s growth and health.  It encourages schools and communities to engage children in planting trees to improve air quality at schools located in polluted environments.  In the context of tackling air pollution at schools, this initiative can play a significant role.

Implementation and Benefit

Schools will integrate this activity into their curriculum by teaching students about the benefits of trees, the importance of reducing air pollution, and how their tree contributes to a healthier environment. Regular activities will be organized where students will monitor the growth of their own trees, learn about the species, and understand how trees help combat air pollution by absorbing harmful pollutants and releasing oxygen. Parents and community members will be invited to participate in planting days, creating a more significant community effort toward improving air quality. Schools will conduct annual events where students will present the progress of their trees, sharing what they have learned about the environment. As students progress through school, they will continue to care for their trees, reinforcing their environmental commitment. Schools might also consider creating a digital registry where students can track their tree’s growth over the years, and the cumulative impact on local air quality can be calculated.  Students will learn about environmental science and the importance of sustainability through hands-on experience. The personal connection with the tree will boost students’ self-esteem and instill a lifelong respect for nature. 

 Expected scholarly outcomes

Outputs will include two peer-reviewed articles. A website hosted by Western University and a children’s series will be created to provide updates on activities, research progress, results, and analysis. The project will lead to innovative research and data supporting environmental health science in Ontario. This project is expected to develop curriculum and teaching material on air pollution and change parents’ and children’s behaviour to ensure they choose less polluted routes to school.