In 2024, Neighborhood Forest distributed over 67,000 trees to children and youth across North America.(Facebook/ Neighborhood Forest)

By Kenneth Cheung

GIVING TREES TO CHILDREN

‘Simple but meaningful’: Library inspires kids to grow with nature through partnership program

Jan 28, 2025 | 1:45 PM

The Lakeland Library Region’s Neighborhood Forest Program will once again provide free trees this year, continuing its commitment to nurturing environmental awareness in the next generation.

In collaboration with the non-profit organization Neighborhood Forest, this program offered over 200 tree seedlings for children and youth to plant and nurture in west-central Saskatchewan last year.

By engaging in this hands-on environmental learning experience, Colin Evans, a community services librarian at the Lakeland Library Region Headquarters in North Battleford, said youngsters can develop a deeper appreciation for nature, even in today’s technology-driven world.

“With everyone on their screens, this is a way to encourage kids to go out in nature, get their hands dirty, and experience the joy of planting a tree,” Evans said. “It’s a simple but meaningful experience that can spark a lifelong interest in gardening or environmental stewardship.”

A boy in Minnesota, U.S., has the opportunity to see a tree grow because of Neighborhood Forest’s program. (Facebook/Neighborhood Forest)

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Neighborhood Forest launched in 2010 with the goal of “giving every child the opportunity to plant and watch trees grow” through donations and partnerships with schools, libraries, and youth groups across North America and even Ghana in West Africa.

According to their 2024 annual impact report, over 67,000 trees were distributed to children and since 2020, they have successfully planted more than 170,000 trees.

In 2024, they partnered with the Ummy Relief Foundation and planted 200 trees in Ghana, West Africa. (Facebook/ Neighborhood Forest)

Evans shared the children’s excitement was obvious last year when they came to pick up their tree at the North Battleford Public Library.

“Some kids even wanted pictures taken with their baby trees,” he recalled.

This time around, the tree distribution will begin in late March and run into early April, aligning with Earth Day on April 22. Although some may question whether spring is suitable for tree planting in Saskatchewan due to the region’s unpredictable weather, Evans remains optimistic.

“It’s been warmer in recent years around that time, so we are hopeful it’ll be good for planting.”

Parents and caregivers interested in signing up for their children can click here. The registration deadline is March 15.

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cjnb-news@pattisonmedia.com