Rooted in Education: Adams students learn about nature by planting trees near school

October 23, 2025

Adams Elementary School students planted lasting legacies this fall when they created new homes for 51 healthy trees.
 
Dozens of Aviators took part in two tree-planting celebrations at school. Seven fifth graders in the Adams Grow Co student organization arranged the first event in late September. More than 140 fourth graders then multiplied the tree population around campus in early October.
 
Adams Grow Co members gathered on the northeast side of the school to plant their tree. Penny, Linden, Keira, Harper, Mason, Oliver and Lulu placed their Japanese tree lilac in the ground, covered the roots with dirt and added mulch and water.
 
Keira and Harper said they were happy that their tree would stand tall on the Adams landscape for generations to come.
 
“It’s just kind of an accomplishment,” Keira said.
 
“It will always remind us that we attended Adams,” Harper said.

Adams Principal Jeff Rust said he was impressed with the seven Aviators' willingness to jumpstart the project. They wrote a letter and poem to Rust in support of the tree, enlisted the help of family members and teachers and conducted extensive research on what species would work well in Lincoln.
 
“I’d say it’s something to be genuinely proud of,” Rust said. “Those seven students showed initiative, teamwork and care for their environment – qualities that go beyond academics. Planting a tree may seem small, but it’s a lasting contribution to their community and a sign of responsibility for the future. That kind of action speaks volumes.”
 
Keira and Harper co-founded the Adams Grow Co last spring. They met at recess every Tuesday and planned the project on trips around the school’s walking path. They chose a Japanese tree lilac after learning that its typical height of 20 feet would work well at Adams. The species also thrives in Nebraska’s temperature zone.
 
“We know it can’t survive in too cold or too warm weather,” Keira said. “This is just the right weather for this type of tree.”
 
Keira and Oliver penned a five-paragraph letter to Rust explaining why they felt the tree would be a good addition to Adams. Team members also wrote a poem that asked for permission to plant it.
 
“We gave it to our principal and met with him two times, and both times went really well,” Keira said. “We’re very grateful that he was so supportive of it.”

 
After the Japanese tree lilac was in the ground, the seven Aviators voted on what to name it. They selected Jeremiah the Tree for its official title.
 
Adams’ fourth graders also made positive marks on the neighborhood during their sunny day of scientific learning in October. They planted ten trees on school property and 40 trees in Folsom Park, which sits next door to Adams. Lincoln Parks and Recreation, Arbor Day Foundation and Lincoln Public Schools teamed up for the initiative.
 
Rylie said she enjoyed putting several trees in the ground with her classmates. She had never planted trees before, but she quickly picked up the best ways to reach her group’s goal.
 
“Probably my favorite part was just hanging out with my group and planting the trees,” Rylie said. “We got to all help dig the soil and the roots, and it was really fun.”

 
Arbor Day Foundation representative Taylor Barnes said she was thrilled to watch students soak up knowledge during the day. The foundation gave every Aviator a pair of gloves and provided funding for the ten trees that were planted on school property.
 
“We have kids who have planted a tree before, and we have kids who have never planted a tree before,” Barnes said. “It’s really fun to have all fourth graders take part in an experience like today. We’re creating good stewards in the home state of Arbor Day.”
 
Kaylyn Comstock, a park planner with Lincoln Parks and Recreation, said this year was the first time that fourth graders planted trees in the fall. The previous two events had taken place at other schools in the spring. The spring timeframe aligned with LPS curriculum that teaches students about the Arbor Day holiday, which began in nearby Nebraska City.
 
“My favorite part about this is just seeing kids get excited about trees,” Comstock said. “Watching them get their hands dirty and learn about the tree that they’re planting, and again, with that ownership and stewardship that they’re developing by planting the trees and naming the trees, they’re really connecting. That’s my favorite part.”

 
The Aviators spruced up the area with 13 varieties of trees. They planted northern catalpa, thornless honey locust, Kentucky coffee tree, American sycamore, eastern cottonwood siouxland, Canada red chokeberry, white oak, swamp white oak, bur oak, relict bur oak, black oak, American linden and Princeton American elm species.
 
After watching a demonstration from Lincoln Parks and Recreation employees, they embarked on their own adventures in small groups. They created the proper soil depth and added dirt, mulch and water to the ground before giving each tree a name.
 
Ollie was one of many students who noticed the beneficial role that trees play in nature. He said he was familiar with being outside, as he has spent time helping his grandfather plant fruits and vegetables in his garden. Ollie said those experiences made him more aware of what was happening in the soil by his group’s tree.
 
“There was a little caterpillar on the ground, and we got to put it on the tree,” Ollie said. “We named it Gary.”

 
Barnes said the long-term goal is to give LPS students opportunities to plant trees every spring and fall. She felt the project would have long-lasting educational and environmental benefits for everyone in Lincoln.
 
“We have a vision of how we can potentially impact all 40 elementary schools over the course of time,” Barnes said. “We hope to be able to get even more people involved as we look forward to a spring and fall planting every year.”

Tree planting activities are one of many ways that LPS Sustainability helps students, staff and families every year. Visit home.lps.org/sustainability to learn more about sustainability efforts across the school district. The website includes a list of upcoming events and information about projects involving recycling, composting, energy, water, transportation and trees.

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