Growing Green Guardians

I've always loved the wilderness. For me, a day outdoors escaping cell service can feel more relaxing and recharging than a whole week of a typical vacation. When my wife and I decided that it was time to move from NYC to the suburbs and found a house, one of the first things I did was to research my soon to be hometown. I went deep down the google rabbit hole and stumbled upon a PDF scan of the history of my town. In this book, I learned about the development of my neighborhood and how it was the vision of its founder to provide residents with the convenience of access to the city while maintaining as much of the natural landscape as possible. For example, if you want to cut down a  tree in my neighborhood that is larger than 18 inches in circumference  you must first get permission from the town arborist who will measure the tree and provide you with a restoration plan whereby residents have to replant a certain number of trees on their property.

The crown jewel of our neighborhood is a 16 acre protected old growth forest called the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum.  As I learned more about the  mission of this organization I knew that I had to get involved. Beyond my own personal fondness for the outdoors, I felt very strongly about instilling in my children a sense of responsibility towards nature. Teaching kids about the importance of preservation and encouraging them to become stewards of the environment is an important step in creating a more sustainable future.

One of the primary ways the arboretum educates kids is through its environmental education programs that are designed to teach kids about the natural world. Programs are available for children of all ages, from preschoolers to high school students. They cover a wide range of topics, from animal habitats to plant biology to environmental conservation.

In addition to its educational programs, the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum is also involved in conservation efforts. The arboretum works to preserve and restore natural habitats, such as forests and wetlands, and to protect endangered species. By showing kids the importance of these efforts, the arboretum encourages them to become active in conservation themselves.

The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum encourages kids to become stewards of the environment by providing opportunities for hands-on learning. By participating in activities such as planting trees, building birdhouses, and monitoring wildlife populations, kids gain a deeper understanding of the natural world.

As we face ever-increasing environmental challenges, the role of organizations like the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum in inspiring the next generation becomes increasingly important.

If you are interested in learning more about the arboretum’s work please visit the link below and consider making a donation to help support the next generation of environmental advocates.

https://hartshornarboretum.org/

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