The Great Falls Rotary Club partnered with Bartlett Tree Experts for the third year in a row to distribute 500 dogwood and magnolia saplings to students at three local schools.
The saplings went to kindergarteners and first graders at Colvin Run, Great Falls, and Forestville elementary schools. During an Earth and Arbor Day presentation, Rotarians and students discussed the role of trees in the environment and in the field of arboriculture.
Earth Day was observed on Wednesday, April 22, and Arbor Day followed on Friday, April 24.
Students shared their insights on why trees matter. "We get food from trees," one student said. Others noted that trees "help us breathe" and provide food for animals.
Student volunteers William, Sophia, and Charlotte Sandstrom — children of Rotarian Teresa Sandstrom — helped distribute the trees to their classmates.
Connie Sawtell, past president of the Great Falls Rotary Club, said everyone can do their part "one tree at a time" to help Fairfax County reach its goal of a 60% tree canopy by 2030.