MVHS Ecology Club Spearheads Schoolwide Tree Planting Project

By the end of April, Mount Vernon High School will have 175 new trees on its campus thanks to the efforts of the school’s Ecology Club, community members, and several local and statewide organizations and businesses.

The tree planting will take place during spring break on Wednesday, April 20. Fifteen MVHS student clubs, four MVHS sports teams, as well as local boy scout troops, area homeowner associations, and other community members are expected to head out to the school campus with shovels and gloves in hand to support the project, said Matt Thompson, MVHS chemistry teacher and Ecology Club sponsor.

The trees — all indigenous species to the area including Pin and Willow Oaks, Hawthorn Maples, Redbuds, Dogwoods and Cypress — are coming through Fairfax ReLeaf, an independent, non-profit organization of volunteers who plant and preserve trees, improve community appearance and restore habitat throughout Northern Virginia.

Local landscaper, Enrique Pisfil of EP Mowing and Landscaping, will provide the school with deeply discounted prices on shrubs, flowers and larger trees, Thompson said. The company is also donating all of the mulch needed for each new tree and flower bed.

Increasing the urban tree canopy will benefit the school in many ways. The trees will provide natural shade in the summer, helping to lower cooling costs in the classrooms, as well as improve the curb appeal of the school, Thompson explained. He also noted that this type of planting project often leads to an increase in surrounding property values.

Environmental benefits of the project include offsetting carbon emissions from the school buses, reducing runoff water to the Potomac River and local tributaries, as well as the production of increased habitat for local wildlife, he said.

“One of our biggest responsibilities as teachers is to encourage students to act as environmental stewards, working together as a team for one common cause,” Thompson said. “It’s important to teach our students how they can contribute to the school, community and planet in a positive manner. Ultimately, it’s one of the biggest responsibilities in life that you can ever teach children.”

MVHS alumni Jim McGlone, a Virginia Department of Forestry Urban Forest Conservationist, has been instrumental in recent months in providing forestry expertise and planting plans to support the project. He said the trees will not only provide the students with environmental education, but offer cultural and social benefits, too.

“Studies have actually shown that [human] contact with the natural world can help reduce some symptoms of ADHD, as well as greatly reduce aggressive behavior,” said McGlone, a five-year board member for Fairfax ReLeaf.  

According to a Texas A&M University study, “In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.”

McGlone supports this notion. “People tend to solve problems with their words instead of their fists when exposed to nature. Studies have also shown that exposure to trees and nature can help improve students’ test scores.”

The MVHS tree planting project has special meaning to McGlone. “One of the things I’m trying to do through this project is to help get people to understand the real benefits of trees,” he said. “And being able to do this at my old high school is a really cool opportunity.”

MVHS Principal Nardos E. King said it’s important that the students learn that taking care of the environment is not only an important job, but also a responsibility for each and every community member.

“I applaud the efforts of Mr. Thompson and our Ecology Club for this wonderful day of service that will have a positive impact on our school and the Mount Vernon community,” says King. “It is my hope that all who are available come out on this day to support the planting of our trees.”

For more information about how to get involved, email Matt Thompson at MJThompson@fcps.edu.