In 2008 more than 125,000 fourth graders, all across America rolled up their sleeves and planted a tree. Lets see if we can plant 140,000 this year!

 

To help revitalize a remarkable idea …

Arbor Day at School

 

They have become members of FOURTH GRADE FORESTERS USA, a new project that is designed to do just that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1885 a national group of educators urged observation of Arbor Day

in the nation’s schools on the official Arbor Day of their own State.

School observations grew by leaps and bounds. Over the years, millions of children received and planted millions of seedlings, millions of seedlings that grew into millions of mature trees. Together, those trees make up a unique forest. A forest planted by generations of America's children.

 

somehow the School Arbor Day tradition began to fade away and now only relatively

few kids get a tree to take home and plant on their State’s Arbor Day.

 

It's time to reverse the decline.

 

Now In the era of global warming and air pollution, tree planting is even more important than ever.

 

 

 

Trees take carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere to help reduce warming and help clean the air we breathe.

 

Planting trees is a simple, inexpensive and easy way to address the problem.

 

 

 

The project, organized by Free Trees and Plants.com, has four major goals.

 

1.  To revitalize observation of Arbor Day in America's schools on the offical Arbor Day proclaimed in their own state. 

 

2.  To send every fourth grader home with a tree of their own to plant and care for.

 

3.  To support employment of workers with disabilities.*

 

4.  To bring schools, private individuals, businesses and organizations together to have direct positive impact on the urban forests of their communities.

 

      * Each tree is individually packaged for distribution by workers with disabilities.

 

 

 

Sponsors of the Fourth Grade Forester Project will:

 

1.  Build name recognition for businesses and organizations.

 

2.  Spotlight your organization's commitment to reducing global warming.

 

3.  Save marketing dollars and improve your community's perception

     of your commitment to thinking globally, acting locally.

 

4.  Help kids develop citizenship values and, as their tree grows, identify

     with you as the giver.

 

 

There is no fuss or muss.

 

There is absolutely no cost to the student,

teachers, the schools, or the school district.

 

The individually packaged 12 to 18-inch trees

will be available to sponsors for $1.59 per tree

(plus shipping).*

 

Every tree is  packaged by workers with disabilities.


The cost to provide a tree to a Fourth Grader includes:

 

An individually packaged 12 to 18-inch evergreen tree

recommended for growth in your state.

 

A bag header attached to each tree featuring planting

and care instructions and a place for you to attach your
message.

 

Your sponsorship will be announced in press releases

to local media with your approval.

 

*Shipping costs = $15.00 per first 100 trees, prorated above 100. 

 

 If you have any questions or if you want to sponsor

 Fourth Grade Foresters USA 2008, in a school of your choice, please contact:

 

 Sarah Henne, Program Coordinator

 at (402) 475-5507 Telephone or

 Fax (402) 475-5633 or

 email at shenne@ftandp.com

 

You can write to Sarah at:

 

Fourth Grade Foresters

1701 South 17th St. Ste2D

Lincoln, NE 68502

 

Program References are Available Upon Request

 

 

Q&A

 

Who can participate in this project?

 

ANYONE!  Past sponsors have included individuals, civic organizations,

real estate agents, investment advisors, insurance companies, soil and

water conservation districts, and green businesses like Whole Foods

and Wild Oats Markets.

 

How can I become involved?

 

Just call us or email your desire to sponsor some of the 4th Graders in your area.

We can tell you which schools are close to you and the approximate number

of 4th Graders at those schools.  You tell us who you are committing to sponsor.

 

How do I know the school will want the trees?

 

We will contact the school to be sure the teachers want the students to

receive them.  We will also get a current count of 4th Graders and a contact

person’s name.  This information will be emailed to you on the invoice.

The invoice will also show the date we will ship the trees. 

 

Where will the trees be shipped?

 

Normally the trees are shipped to the sponsor so that you can attach your materials

to the package and take them to the schools on the day they want to receive them.

(You will need to arrange the timing with the contact person on the invoice.)

 

 

Do the trees need to be cared for before they are handed out?

 

The trees are heat sealed in a clear bag with planting instructions attached.

The roots have been dipped to keep them moist.  Just stand the trees upright

in the box as soon as you receive them and keep them in a cool location.

Avoid extreme cold and heat.

 

When and how do I pay for the trees?

 

Payment is due upon receipt of the invoice. This is necessary because we

have to reserve the trees as early as possible to be sure we can provide the

appropriate tree species for your area. We accept checks, money orders,

credit cards, and paypal.