Planting Seeds for a Lifetime Appreciation of Trees
Below, you’ll find resources for youth to learn more about the benefits of trees, how to care for them, and fun tree activities.
TreesCharlotte Activity Sheets
Download our activity sheet for children that includes a maze, word search and crossword puzzle.
(Download Answer Sheet)
Tree Age Equation Worksheet: This is a simple, fun way to learn the approximate age of the trees in your neighborhood with some measuring tape and math.
Biodiversity Worksheet: This teaches students how important plant diversity is to the health of a forest.
How Tall is that Tree?: With just a pencil, some measuring tape, and a buddy, kids can measure the height of a tree with no climbing involved.
Leaf Collection Scavenger Hunt: Let students explore the world around them from a new lens with this leaf scavenger hunt.
Seed Pods and Cones Activity Go beyond the leaves– This activity sheet encourages students to understand the function of seed pods, cones, and fruit on trees.
Life in Tree Death Activity: This activity allows students to search for the unexpected life that comes from tree death.
Companion Curriculum
The following curricula are written with the intent to provide interdisciplinary opportunities in the use of a school’s tree garden, outdoor classroom or learning environment. Thank you to TreesGreenville for allowing us to share these.
NC Wildlife Federation Great Outdoors University
Great Outdoors University of Greater Charlotte is a conservation-based experiential education program created by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife Federation, designed to bring life-changing experiences to kids 6-18 who have limited opportunity to explore the natural world.
Mecklenburg County Nature Centers & Preserves
Latta Plantation Nature Center serves as the gateway to the 1,351 acres of Latta Plantation Nature Preserve and is the source for educational programs and information on the preserve’s natural communities, flora, and fauna. The preserve, Mecklenburg County’s largest, forms a green peninsula extending into Mountain Island Lake and protects a natural heritage site and several endangered plants.
McDowell Nature Center serves as the gateway to the 1,108-acre McDowell Nature Preserve and is the source for educational programs and information on the preserve’s natural communities, flora, and fauna. The preserve, the oldest in Mecklenburg County, has been left 90% undeveloped and protects mostly forested, rolling terrain along the banks of Lake Wylie.
Reedy Creek Nature Preserve protects 737 acres of natural, forested habitat within Reedy Creek Park. Reedy Creek Nature Center and Nature Preserve is located at 2900 Rocky River Road in northeastern Mecklenburg County.
Nature Explore
Nature Explore is a collaborative program of the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. The goal of Nature Explore is to support efforts to connect children with nature.