September 9, 2008
NEWS RELEASE
For more information contact:
Karen Zumach, Tree Trust 612-590-2536
Lisa Koch, Weaver Lake Curriculum Coordinator
763-420-9730

Weaver Lake Elementary Planting Outdoor Learning Area

            MAPLE GROVE—More than 600students, teachers, parents, and community members will plant an outdoor learning area on September 18 at Weaver Lake Elementary School. With funding from CenterPoint Energy, Tree Trust, a Minnesota non-profit, will help the new school complete their year-long Learning with Trees program.

            During the 2007-2008 school year, Tree Trust Urban Forester, Karen Zumach, helped the school (formerly Edgewood) form a Green Team to plan the area to meet the school’s educational goals. Students participated in a hands-on school exhibit called Our Town Trees to help them understand the value of trees and natural areas in their community.

            On planting day all students will have a chance to get their hands dirty with tasks including shoveling, watering, and spreading mulch. Throughout the day, classrooms will work in half hour-long shifts to plant the trees. Master gardeners and Tree Trust volunteers will teach the students about planting and  tree care.

            To continue the learning process, Tree Trust provides lesson plans for use in the new outdoor learning area. To create outdoor classroom seating, 12 benches will be installed with the help of volunteers from CenterPoint Energy and Tree Trust.

            Students will celebrate their new outdoor learning area with an all school barbecue. As a Science, Math and Technology Magnet School Weaver Lake will use the new area as a living laboratory for student studies of environmental science.

            Tree Trust is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to improve the community environment by investing in people.  Since 1992, it has helped 159 schools and more than 80,000 students plan, plant, and use outdoor learning areas.