ECHS Students Partner with Councilwoman, Deb Gross, to Plant Trees in Morningside

Students at the Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) partnered with Councilwoman Deb Gross and Tree Pittsburgh on Monday, Nov. 8 to plant trees in the Morningside Community Garden behind the school. Representatives from Tree Pittsburgh kicked the event off with an information session covering proper tree planting techniques, tree care, and the benefits of planting trees in specific locations. 

“Throughout my entire term, I have always supported improving food source issues, and especially since the pandemic started, we saw an increase in people wanting access to community gardens to get outside safely together to grow food,” Councilwoman Deb Gross said. “I was able to receive funds to spend on public property, and this community wanted permaculture and trees that would bear fruit.”

Permaculture plants grow in harmony with the earth, are self-sufficient, and act as a more sustainable method of gardening. During the event, students planted serviceberry and pawpaw trees that are indigenous to Pennsylvania. These trees not only provide a source of food but also help with soil erosion, a topic students are currently learning about in their environmental science classes. 

“Currently, students are learning about weather events in the Pittsburgh area, particularly regarding water and rainfall,” 10th Grade Environmental Science Teacher Kara Reffitt said. “While the students are planting trees to help their community, they also are making connections to the classroom and discovering how they can help prevent soil erosion at a local level. 

Through this event, students had the opportunity to transform the space by de-potting trees, properly planting them, setting up tree shields for protection, and mulching the area. Representatives from Tree Pittsburgh said that they are always excited to partner with schools for tree plantings as it not only provides the students with the education and ownership to maintain the trees, but it also connects their lessons to real-world experiences so they can pass their knowledge on to their peers, friends, families, and communities.

“My goal is to expand food productions while coordinating these efforts with the community,” Gross said.

ECHS plans to host more tree plantings and community events in the future.