Seed to Seedling: Inspiring Kids While Growing Oaks for Our Future

Pamela Frickmann Sanchez and Zarah Wyly

Published May 2019 in International Oaks No. 30: 93–100

Abstract

For over 30 years, the Sacramento Tree Foundation’s Seed to Seedling program has recruited classes of K-4 students to grow acorns into seedling oak trees. While growing native oak seedlings inside their classrooms, teachers lead students through a standards-based curriculum, available for free online, that is focused on the native oaks of the Sacramento region and the benefits of urban forest trees. Seed to Seedling supports other Sacramento Tree Foundation programs by generating high-quality and genetically-appropriate seedling oak trees for reforestation projects in the Sacramento area and for specific efforts such as oak reestablishment following the 2017 Wine Country Fires. With a simple, low-cost program model, the Seed to Seedling curriculum and program could be easily adapted to other oak communities and students around the world. This holistic program ensures the continuity of our native oak heritage and brings oaks into the city, into classrooms, and into the hearts of the next generation.

Keywords

community involvement with trees, growing oaks, tree teaching programs, urban forest

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