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Two Greensboro schools have done their part to reduce their carbon footprints.

Morehead and Jesse Wharton elementary schools recently planted nine trees — three at Morehead, six at Jesse Wharton.

“We’re trying to make them very conscious of the environment,” Morehead principal Gay Citty said.

Citty was approached by the father of a kindergartner in her school about planting trees donated by the Modern Woodmen of America.
“We planned to do it during the week of Earth Day, but it didn’t work out,” she said.

Rob Cook ’s son is a student at Morehead. Cook is an incoming board member for Sustainable Greensboro, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainabilty practices.

He contacted the Modern Woodmen and got permission from Citty to plant the three dogwood trees.

“It’s a good education opportunity for them,” he said. “It’s not just planting a seed. They get to see the process for the next few years while they’re here — they can watch it grow.”

Although Modern Woodmen donated the trees, the founders of Trees NC, Owen George and Tim Womick, donated their time to plant the trees and talk to Cook’s son’s kindergarten class on May 6.

Six miles away at Jesse Wharton Elementary, the students were introduced to the Jesse Wharton Green Zone.

A schoolwide recycling program was started to teach the students to recycle, reduce and reuse.

“We’re trying to get our students to recognize and have respect for our Earth,” principal Valerie Bridges said.
On May 3, six trees — one for every grade level — were planted in front of the school.

Students will help care for the trees and learn about the importance of planting them.

The two oak and four maple trees were donated by Steven Williams of Plantation North Landscaping.

Jesse Wharton Elementary is also collecting empty ink cartridges and old cell phones to be traded for money to purchase new cartridges.

A collection box for these items is outside the front office.

The school has more recycling efforts to implement in upcoming school years and plans to plant an organic garden.