What is the purpose and/or mandate of your organization?
ICOC Trees for Life Canada was registered in 1991 as a not-for-profit, non-denominational, non-political, charitable organization under the Canadian laws with a mission “to provide materials and information to school teachers and children to help them understand the critical role that trees play in maintaining the ecological balance on this planet”.  That same year, it launched its environmental education program in Hamilton, by having 3000 elementary school children participate in its “Grow-A-Tree Project”.  Since its launch, the program has spread throughout Canada.

What is the primary focus of your organization?
Environmental Education

Is your organization affiliated with any other international, national, regional, provincial or local organizations?
Since its inception, Trees for Life has collaborated with several local, regional, national and international organizations in the promotion of environmental education and awareness.  These organizations include government agencies such as Environment Canada, Canadian International Development Agency, Chinese Environmental Protection Agency and School Boards in Canada and abroad.  Also, we have collaborated with, and provided capacity building support to, NGO’s in Chile, China and India.  However we have no formal and/or legal affiliation with any other international, national, regional, provincial or local organization.

What is your project title?
The “Grow A Tree” Project

What is the primary focus of your project/activity?
The primary purpose of this project is environmental education of school children in general.

What is unique about your project?
The concept behind the “Grow-A-Tree Project” is quite simple; entertain and amuse the children through riddles, jokes and hands on activities that provide information and knowledge about the role that trees play in maintaining the ecological balance on our planet.  Each project kit contains work/activity books for children, a manual for the teacher, seed-planting cartons for children, and seeds of an indigenous tree. Through the school year, teachers use the material in the teacher’s manual to guide the children through their work/activity book.  As a part of the environmental activities, children plant seeds in the planting-cartons to grow a seedling. This approach not only utilizes traditional methods of education, but also provides a personal experience in which the student develops a sense of involvement, contribution and accomplishment through growing their own tree.

What is the environmental issue that will be addressed by the project?
The issue being addressed in this project is environmental education around the importance of trees.  The “Grow-a-Tree” Program is designed to give school children a strong understanding of the roles trees play in both wilderness and urban areas.  The program also gives children the opportunity to make a difference themselves to this seemingly overwhelming issue, by starting a seedling of their own. Trees for Life have worked closely with educators to ensure that the program fits well with the school curriculum.

Why is this an important issue/problem in your community?
Deforestation, loss of natural habitat and threats to biodiversity are indisputably some of the most critical environmental issues at the local as well as the global level.  As Canadians we have the added responsibility to ensure that the world’s largest reservoir of boreal forest located in Canada is managed in a manner that is sustainable.  Therefore, we feel that Canadian children in every community should be particularly aware of the critical role that trees play in maintaining the ecological balance on our planet.   It is by working at the local level that they can contribute positively towards this major global challenge.

Who can get involved?
Individuals, Companies, Corporations, Communities .... Anybody and Everybody

How can I/We get involved?
You can get involved either by volunteering your time or by sponsoring children in your area.

Over what period is the project taking place?
The project begins in Fall every year.  The “Grow-a-Tree” program is distributed to schools for their use in the Fall or Spring. The project is completed and evaluated each Spring.

Where will sponsorship money go?
Trees for Life Canada takes care to allocate donations locally. Therefore, the “Grow-a-Tree” program is distributed to students in your region or as directed by the sponsor.

How would my company be recognized for funding this project?
Based on the amount sponsored, Trees for Life Canada will have placed your company logo on the student workbooks, teacher manuals, planting cartons, and the seed packages that are distributed to the schools. These cartons are then brought home to thousands of households across Canada, giving your company grass roots recognition for their participation in environmental education.  Your Company logo will also be placed on the home page of our website, which is visited by teachers and board of education members from every province.   In addition, Trees for Life would also send a recognition letter to each of the participating schools, so that they would be informed of the support from your company.

How will you share the results of this project with others?
Trees for Life Canada regularly seeks and receives media coverage.  Also, the volunteers of our organization attend community events to raise the awareness of the need for environmental education for young children.  Through these channels, the program and program supporters, gain exposure both locally and nationally.

How is the effectiveness of this program measured?
The project is evaluated in the Spring of each year.  Trees for Life sends sponsors a list of the schools that were involved in the project in each area. The teachers implementing the “Grow-a-Tree” program are contacted to ensure that they were successful in using the program in their classroom.  Trees for Life routinely gains feedback through the gathering of teacher questionnaires in order to evaluate the success of the program.

Are there any controversial issues associated with this project?
There are no controversial issues with this program.