Sanchez Scholars Support Community Forestry and Carbon Sequestration
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A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of joining the Sanchez Scholars and other community members at Huegel Elementary to support tree planting efforts led by Ashley Juarez, Grace Paz-Ponce, and Jhonny Mejía. This work was supported by a Youth Climate Action Fund grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
When I arrived at the elementary school on the unseasonably warm but beautiful November morning, I was happy to see all how many community members came to support our young climate champions. The families mingled, sipping on coffee and eating empanadas.
To kick off the event, The young leaders described their process of learning about urban forestry, the presentations they had given to other scholars and families about the work of planting trees and the benefits trees provided, and the importance of the final tree planting happening at an elementary school, where young people would be able to benefit from them for many years to come. I reminded everyone that while the international climate conference was happening in Brazil, without the United States federal government, the true work of climate action happens in communities just like ours. Regardless of the what happens in Brazil, words cannot match the power of a community coming together to support its young people and take positive actions towards climate resilience. Events like these truly make our city sustainable.
Outside, an expert from the Urban Tree Alliance demonstrated the process for bare root tree planting during the fall and explained the importance of planting at the right height, digging a wide hole, watering generously, and providing protective mulch. Once they learned how, the young people present split up to plant a total of eight trees in the Huegel Elementary school yard. Alders Yannette Figueroa Cole and Badri Lankella joined me in cheering on the tree planters. As the grow, these trees will be a lasting contribution to the canopy cover in our urban forest and will provide shade and cleaner air to Huegel scholars, while reducing climate pollution in our community.
The project has also supported the growth of young leaders. Jhonny is in his first year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying engineering. Grace is also in her first year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, pursuing a degree in accounting. Ashley is in her senior year at Vel Phillips Memorial High School, and is also taking classes at Madison College. They take with them everything they’ve learned from the Youth Climate Action Fund experience, and I know they will continue to make a difference in our community and our world. .
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