A local preschool has been selected to participate in a state-wide program to plant shade trees on its playground.
According to a release from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Southside Preschool was one of ten schools selected to participate in the 2024 Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) program.
The preschool and other selected schools will receive up to five native shade trees, mulch, watering supplies, and planting guidelines.
Participants will attend a virtual STOP workshop, incorporate a curriculum on the importance of trees and forestry in Arkansas, hold a tree-planting ceremony, and commit to long-term maintenance. Department staff will assist with tree transport and planting, ensuring species are suited to each playground’s unique conditions.
“The STOP program provides students with an opportunity to not only learn about the benefits of trees but also to participate in planting and caring for trees,” said Kristine Kimbro, Urban & Community Forestry program coordinator. “We are proud to administer this program and look forward to working with each of these schools.”
Other schools participating in the program include Ashdown, Brinkley, Fayetteville, Camden, Springdale, Hamburg, Palestine, Piggott, and Searcy.
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