Blog Entry #25

Last week I helped out on a planting project with the Texas Trees Foundation Cool Schools Program. They used a machine to dig holes for the trees rather than hand tools in order to improve efficiency. Around ninety trees will be planted in all around the school campus. Digging by machine was able to cut time and volunteer resources significantly and made the project much easier. However, planting at a school is great because lots of people are eager to volunteer. All of the students help plant, and many parents want to also.

The Cool Schools Program has helped me see the importance of schools in pioneering urban ecology projects. They have space, and because they house children and are educational, they are looking to increase green space and are more than willing to incorporate urban ecology and natural science into their campus. Schools are also less finicky than houses and residences and more willing to deviate from landscaping norms because of their educational mission and because they are public institutions. Many colleges I have visited landscape in at least some areas, and I should strive to extend this to more campuses and across campuses. Like in the Cool School Project, I can also use them to get more people involved and hopefully encourage others to follow suit.