Fletcher Middle School celebrated the coming of spring with a large tree planting on Wednesday, March 5.
Twenty 30-gallon trees were given as a gift to the school from Greenscape of Jacksonville, and top soil and mulch were donated by the district’s landscape services.
JEA assisted in the effort by delivering trees and digging holes, and the Fletcher Middle Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), along with the student body, planted 15 Crepe Myrtle trees in the nearby garden adjacent to the school's courtyard.
The PTSA will also be planting five oak trees in front of the school, which will complete the line of trees that begins at a sign that says "Welcome to Tree City."
Duval County Public Schools sixth and seventh grade science curriculum encourages the appreciation for trees by having students learn that trees help to prevent soil erosion, aid stormwater run-off, help clean the air, provide habitat for birds and animals, and reduce utility bills by providing shade.
Greenscape of Jacksonville, Inc. is a non-profit organization with a 29-year history of improving the tree canopy of our city. Through a partnership with JEA, known as Green Releaf, Greenscape is able to provide trees to improve the urban forest. Today Greenscape is credited with placing over 150,000 trees in Jacksonville.
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