Schools

High School is Site of New Urban Forest

80 trees planned to take root at Benicia High.

The has partnered with the Benicia Unified School District to plant 80 trees at Benicia High School. The project will be implemented in three phases, with the first volunteer-based event Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

The trees are planned for the corner of Military West and Denfield Avenue and are being paid for in part by a grant from California ReLeaf. The local Willis Linn Jepson chapter of the California Native Plant Society also is supporting the project.

“The campus tree-planting project involves planting 80 trees in front of the BHS athletic fields, establishing a wind row that will protect one third of the campus currently unprotected by trees," said Janice Adams,  district superintendent.  "The project will include demonstrations of urban forestry and ecology, and emphasize the impacts of sustainable landscape design.”

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Trees, when planted in sufficient quantities, can mitigate noise and add beauty.  According to a statement from the foundation's board of directors, which is made up of Benicia residents and volunteers, the panel is hopeful that the positive impacts of the campus tree plantings will be analyzed and replicated throughout the district.

“Unfortunately, due to age, disease and other factors, the tree population has been dwindling on the high-school campus and throughout the district," said Wolfram Alderson, executive director of the Benicia Tree Foundation. "Students, teachers and administrators desire an improved tree canopy on campuses in the school district."

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Student leaders at BHS have a role on the Community Sustainability Commission of Benicia. Benicia’s Climate Action Plan is at the forefront of efforts in Solano County. Key goals include increasing the number of trees in the community and the use of drought-tolerant landscaping.

Trees at the high school provide shade and protection from constant winds blowing in from the Carquinez Straits. Giant redwoods provide an effective wind row in front of the school entrance and large mulberry trees are among an assortment of other species providing shade in the center courtyard.

Students naturally gravitate to and cluster under the trees that are a beloved part of the campus landscape, according to Teresa Finn, a teacher and adviser to the high school Eco-Club. "BHS is fortunate to be the focus of this collaboration. Trees really do do a student body good! I look forward to watching these trees grow to the size of the trees in the main quad, a place of grace on our busy campus.”

Gene Doherty, president of the Willis Linn Jepson chapter of the California Native Plant Society, said that “non-native and invasive plants now make up the majority of the plant species we see around Benicia. We are very pleased that this project is focused on planting trees native to California.”

Volunteers should come dressed ready to get dirty, and bring gloves, a hat and water. The foundation encourages volunteers to bring tools and to donate shovels, rakes, hole diggers, hoes and other garden implements.

The Benicia Tree Foundation was established in 2010 and received its initial funding from the Valero Good Neighbors / VIP Settlement. Volunteers can sign up in advance for the project or e-mail Alderson  for more information. Minors will require the signature of a parent or guardian.


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