Since 1995, Teaching Responsible Earth Education (T.R.E.E.) has provided curriculum based, outdoor earth education programs to over 10,000 children, parents and teachers from Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes.

T.R.E.E. Mission Statement TREE's mission is to educate children and adults about the life science processes that govern our planet, to inspire them to appreciate the natural world, and to motivate them to protect it.

The teachers, principals, staff, and volunteer parents of the participating schools are an

	By unearthing buried Time Capsules, students discover examples of the earth's past time periods

integral part in the success of T.R.E.E. programs. Sue Brown, M.Ed., T.R.E.E.'s founder and executive director, provides leadership and direction through experiential learning methods based on 11 years of elementary and middle school teaching experience and 21 years of providing earth education programs.

During the 2004-2005 school year, more than 1100 students attended T.R.E.E. programs. Even during the Hurricane Katrina abbreviated 2005-2006 school year, T.R.E.E. instructed 265 students, parents and teachers.

T.R.E.E. has established successful partnerships with numerous New Orleans Metro Area Parish, Public, Charter, and Private Schools as well as the Junior League of New Orleans, The ARC of Greater New Orleans, The University of New Orleans, Parkway Partners, The Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier Universities, The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, and Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve.

T.R.E.E.'s philosophy utilizes an innovative instructional approach:

	A fourth-grader stops to check out a tree while on a "discovery walk" as part of the Earthkeepers program.

• HEAD: The first component focuses on basic scientific processes that explain how the Earth works. Concepts such as energy flow, the cycling of air, soil and water, interrelationships of living and non-living organisms, and diversities within the life systems of our planet, are aligned with Louisiana State benchmarks and presented in an engaging and active, hands-on learning manner.
• HEART: The second element utilizes sensory activities focusing on the senses (taste, sight, smell and hearing) to encourage participants to become comfortable in their new surroundings and to develop a greater appreciation and personal relationship with the natural world.
• HANDS: The final component concentrates on how each of us fits into the functioning of the Earth and initiates decision-making skills to determine ways to protect our planet. This propels them to apply the information they have learned in order to develop positive lifestyle habits that will encourage healthy natural communities on Earth.

What makes T.R.E.E. special?

	Seventh-graders making their way to the next adventure at Sunship III.

While providing academic challenges, we instill a caring attitude and provide fundamental knowledge of how the systems on the Earth work. Our programs also immerse children in a safe and natural environment where they are nurtured and can develop a deep appreciation for the precious plants and animals that live on the Earth through thought provoking experiential activities. The culmination of these components creates the impetus for children to make wiser decisions on how to preserve the wonderful diversity of our natural world and to make choices to live more lightly on our magnificent, but often abused, planet.

More info about T.R.E.E. Programs