Be A Friend to Trees Activity

Students will learn about the benefits of trees and how they mitigate the Heat Island Effect. Students measure canopy cover at two different sites (or areas at school) and analyze the data to determine if the site meets the Tree Equity Score for urban areas and Tucson City’s urban canopy goal.

• Objectives
  • Understand the value and benefits of tree services (shade, oxygen, reduced energy output, lower temperatures, etc)
  • Understand the causes and effects of heat islands in urban areas
  • Explain tree equity scores and their importance
  • Describe canopy coverage at a site or between multiple sites
  • Calculate percent canopy coverage at a site (area based on geometric shapes)
  • Design a plan for increasing canopy coverage
• Grades: 3-5, adaptable to 6-12
• Time: 5 class periods (1 week), surveys should be done preferably when canopy is abundant Aug.-Dec. or Apr.-May
• Author: K Smith

Arizona Standards Engaged

5.L4U3.11: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate evidence about how natural and human-caused changes to habitats or climate can impact populations.

4.L4U1.11: Analyze and interpret environmental data to demonstrate that species either adapt and survive or go extinct over time.

3.L1U1.6: Plan and carry out investigations to demonstrate ways plants and animals react to stimuli.