Hempfield students hope to plant 2,020 trees this year
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Science National Honor Society students at Hempfield Area High School already are thinking about the legacy they’ll leave behind after graduation.
And, for soon-to-be graduates, that legacy will be in the form of 2,020 trees students plan to plant in the community starting this spring.
“Our graduating year is kind of a cool year with 2020,” said senior Lindsey Ellison, noting that the initiative also will bring attention to the global climate crisis.
Late last year, some students joined a global protest against climate change that saw thousands of students around the world walk out of school for a day. Students also took time to learn about different initiatives, like the 17 sustainable development goals established by the United Nations.
The movement started with Greta Thunberg, the teen climate activist who sat outside the Swedish Parliament last year holding a sign that read “School Strike for Climate,” The Washington Post reported. Thunberg has taken her message to rallies and marches, calling on politicians in Washington, D.C., to “Listen to scientists.”
“I think we kind of see a little bit in the news, especially with Australia. Any small deed we can do to help stop this crisis that we’re having is very important to us,” said honor society President Samantha Hall, referencing wildfires that have raged across Australia for weeks.
The fires have prompted one of the country’s largest evacuations and have killed or impacted an estimated 1 billion mammals, birds and reptiles, The Washington Post reported.
In Hempfield, students hope the push not only makes an impact, but is meaningful to everybody in the community. According to Doug Cook, a science teacher at the high school who oversees the honor society, students were inspired to plant the trees after he told a story about his grandfather.
“What I shared with them is when my grandfather was in his early 80s … one thing he wanted to do was go back to his home and see the tree he planted,” Cook said, noting that his grandfather was a World War II veteran who traveled all over the world.
Wanting to do something related to their graduating year, students decided to plant the trees, giving graduates something to come back and see years down the road.
In March, April and May students will start planting. Cook said, in addition to the more than 100 students in the honor society, an additional 100 students volunteered to help with the project.
Members of the honor society are currently working with Penn State Master Gardeners, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Howard Nursery, located in Centre County, for land and tree donations. Cook said officials are guiding them on what trees to plant and where to plant them to ensure they will last for years.
Ellison said students previously worked to plant tulips with kindergarten and first grade classes in the district.
“It was a really good start,” Ellison said.
Those interested in donating plants or becoming involved in the project can contact Cook at hempfieldsnhs@hasdpa.net.