ReForest London has launched a new program challenging local high school students to expand their tree-planting efforts outside of their campuses.

Julie Ryan, Reforest London’s director of programs, announced the School Community Tree Challenge during a news conference April 22.

“The idea is to engage students and teachers in getting trees planted in school communities,” Ryan said. “This includes not just on their school grounds, which is something we’ve been doing for nearly 10 years, but actually getting out into the community and planting trees in parks, giving away seedlings, or hosting a tree sale.”

The new program is being supported by a three-year, $188,900 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and another two-year donation from TD Canada Trust worth $40,000. ReForest London is also partnering with the The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, the Middlesex-London Health Unit, and both area school boards to roll out the new program.

“We’re very excited about having the program be well funded and most of that money goes right back into trees,” Ryan said. “It’s to support the schools by giving them some kick starter funds to pay for the projects that they choose.”

The goal of the program is to involve 100 schools and get 25,000 trees planted in London communities over the next five years.

“Not only is it great to get more trees in residential areas and parks and school yards but it also a great way to build student leadership, especially at the high school level, in environmental initiatives,” Ryan said.

About a week before the announcement, Ryan met with students from Catholic Central high school’s Geography Club. The high school portion of the new program is already underway, and CCH hopes to be among the first schools to take part, with the deadline to apply approaching May 1.

“It’s going to expand our knowledge of what we can do at our school and expand what we can actually understand about what’s going on outside our school, outside in the immediate area in our community,” said CCH senior Kolton Smith. “It’ll also allow us to actually physically go out and learn more while still learning in school.”

Chris.montanini@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @LondonerChris