Oaktown Trees

Students at participating schools around Oakland are learning about the community and environmental health benefits of trees, and planting hundreds of fruit trees in their yards.

This program is being organized by Common Vision and supported by Growing Together, and is coordinated in partnerships with local schools and teachers. The trees are planted with gratitude to all our essential workers, as we recognize that trees are also essential workers - fundamental to community health.

Are you a teacher who's interested in participating with your students and school community? More information on how to participate below.

Tree offerings

Project Framework

Phase 1: Teacher Sign Up

Teachers who want to run this program with your classroom must fill out this short form to confirm your participation: https://tinyurl.com/Oaktown-Trees-TeacherSignUp

Orientation Slides: https://tinyurl.com/Oaktown-Trees-Teachers (more information on the program)

Phase 2: What Trees Need/ What Trees Give

Classes learn about the principles of “Right Tree - Right Place” and students choose their tree planting location and sign up for their preferred tree.

VIDEO: Mama Wanda’s Garden School: Right Tree, Right Place (See Video below)

This video covers tree curriculum and explains how to choose the best planting locations for a tree. Students will learn how to assess the space available and choose a tree that matches their site conditions and preferences.

Optional Handout: Right Tree, Right Place : a handout to help you choose your new tree and planting location

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP TO OFFICIALLY SIGN UP:

Online form to share with students and families.

Students and families, please fill out our online form to sign up for a tree.

(tinyurl.com/OaktownTreeForm)

Note: There is a place to add a photo of the site on the form. Teachers may need to support by helping compile the photos in a google folder or Seesaw folder. Site photos can also be added by emailing each photo individually to mytree@commonvision.org with the Subject Heading: SCHOOLNAME - Student Name.

Phase 3: Classroom visit with a Tree Expert! (optional)

Classroom by classroom Zoom visit, or assembly style Zoom drop-ins of Common Vision staff to offer further education about trees, answer student questions, and to help assess chosen planting locations, and get excited and further prepared for the planting. Let us know some times that work for you in the teacher sign up form, OR email traverriggins@gmail.com to set up a time for an in-class visit.

Phase 4: Get your Tree at a Distribution Day!

We will coordinate with your schools to set up a tree distribution day where parents can come pick up their trees and some compost.

Teachers, please contact Traver to schedule your distribution day. We ask that you also help remind your students and families about distribution days. Common Vision staff will also coordinate directly with families to remind them about tree distribution days. If families are unable to pick up, we can deliver some of the trees if needed.

Phase 5: Students and Families Plant Their Trees!

We are offering help with the plantings, where we will send a staff member to the students’ homes to assist with the planting. We expect that some families with a high level of gardening experience will be able to plant the trees themselves without assistance, and we are happy to support any family that wants a little help.

VIDEO, from Mama Wanda’s Garden School - How to Plant a Tree (see below)
Optional Handout: Tree Planting Checklist: tinyurl.com/Tree-Checklist

Tree Planting Checklist in Spanish: tinyurl.com/SpanishTreePlantingChecklist

Feel free to contact project coordinator, Traver, at traverriggins@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you!