Free tree seedlings offered to Wisconsin fourth graders

The Wisconsin DNR is offering free tree seedlings to every fourth-grade student in Wisconsin, as part of the department’s annual Arbor Day tree planting program. Wisconsin fourth-grade principals, teachers and those who homeschool, can now place seedling orders and coordinate delivery.

Planting seedlings from state nurseries is a great way to celebrate Arbor Day (April 29, 2022), which is dedicated to increasing the number of trees across the country, to help improve the environment.

Through its fourth-grade Arbor Day tree planting program, the DNR provides interactive education to Wisconsin students, around the importance of trees within the environment. Annually, the DNR provides approximately 50,000 free tree seedlings to fourth-grade students throughout the state.

Seedlings come protected to keep backpacks clean, and shipments include educational information on how to best plant and care for seedlings and trees.

Trees provide a variety of benefits to both people and the planet. They give off oxygen, trap carbon dioxide, feed and provide shelter for furry forest creatures, and provide materials to build a variety of essential household items.

“This program enables us to bring forest education directly to the hands of students,” said Heather Berklund, DNR chief state forester, “and teach them about the importance of trees, and of managing and restoring our forests.”

Teachers need to complete the 2022 Arbor Day application by March 15, 2022.