Environmental Science and biology teacher at Bloomington High School South Amanda Figolah and Ava Hartman, the executive director of CanopyBloomington, worked with students from South to plant trees and sequester carbon.  

Hartman explained that CanopyBloomington is a “social impact organization that’s committed to improving the equity and community around tree plantings.” The students learned about biodiversity in plants and the significance of trees in urban areas while creating a place for people to gather. 

Figolah added that students felt pride in their work because they were making a difference: “Students recounted that they felt good about their work and they looked at the lawn and said how beautiful it will be in 25 or 50 years.” As more trees are planted around the world during a time of climate crisis, carbon can be sequestered by the plants instead of continuously emitted into the atmosphere. Hartman says, “We are in a climate crisis right now, and any little impact is a good impact to make.” Students from South played a vital role by learning how to correctly plant a tree, and now the process of sequestration can begin. 

There were a variety of trees planted, such as “Red Oak, Bur Oak, and Swamp Chestnut Oak”: these trees are not only great at absorbing carbon, but they can absorb water as well –  helping with flood control.