Seeds to Saplings

The Seeds to Saplings Service Learning Program is an environmental education partnership that began in 2013 to provide 4th grade students with a series of lessons covering environmental issues facing Southeast Louisiana. The program focuses on the function and value of forested wetlands and encourages hands-on learning through a series of 4 classroom lessons and 2 service learning field trips.

Students are introduced to a variety of STEM and Social Studies concepts relating to environmental issues and conservation. Students learn about their watershed, forested wetlands, flood control, impacts to the environment from hurricanes, invasive species, and human behavior, and what they can do to make a difference. Students participate in an interactive watershed demonstration, grow their own cypress seeds, learn to identify native and invasive species, and write invitations to elected officials, community leaders, and guardians. As the capstone to their experience, students share what they have learned with their invited guests and plant seedlings in restoration areas at Woodlands Trail.

During the 2019-2020 school year, the Seeds to Saplings Service Learning Program in Belle Chasse Elementary and Phoenix in Plaquemines Parish is funded by grant from Chevron Oronite.  The Seeds to Saplings Service learning Program at Alice Harte Charter school in Orleans Parish is funded by Entergy’s Environmental Initiatives Fund.  

To find out how your school can participate in the Seeds to Saplings project, contact Woodlands Conservancy at 504-433-4000.