Growing the next generation of tree stewards

Each year, students across the region play an important role in reforesting our native oak habitats by growing oak seedlings through the Tree Foundation’s Seed to Seedling Program. The program which provides lessons for grades K-6 focuses on the natural and cultural history of Sacramento’s native oaks and the importance of caring for our beloved trees.

2023-2024 program

Sunrise Elementary teacher, Mo Young proudly stands in front of her classroom with dozens of acorns and supplies for her students in the upcoming seed to Seedling Program. — *Teacher Mo Young at Sunrise Elementary. She coordinates 12 other teachers at her school to also participate and distributes supplies for them. Students at Sunrise grow a total of 200 oak seedlings!*

January marked the official start of the 2024 program, but preparation for the vital program began months earlier in the fall. Every fall, dozens of volunteers harvest more than 8,000 acorns to use in our program and in our other reforestation work. Once harvested, our trained staff sort through the thousands of acorns and determine which ones are the the most viable for students to grow in the spring.

At the beginning of the January, these acorns were delivered to classrooms along with everything students need to successfully grow their acorns into healthy seedlings. This year, kits were delivered to 85 classrooms, homeschool groups, scout troops, and after school programs with over 2,000 students participating—a nearly 25% increase from last year’s participation! All participating classrooms will grow valley oak acorns (Quercus lobata), that were collected by volunteers at a community harvest event in November 2023 along Dry Creek Parkway. In addition to the Seed to Seedling curriculum, Tree Foundation staff will visit a select number of third grade classrooms at schools in under-canopied neighborhoods who have had less access to supplemental education and activities about trees. Our staff will provide a lesson on native oaks and lead a planting activity.

In front of a classroom of students, SacTree’s Education Manager, Pam points at a white board reading, "Why trees are important?" — SacTree’s Education Manager, Pam teaches students about the importance of trees.

What happens next?

Students will spend the next 4 months caring for and growing their acorns into seedlings. In May, these young trees will be returned to the Tree Foundation where they will continue to grow in our nursery until they are planted at reforestation sites the following fall. They will join the thousands of other oaks that students and teachers have nurtured during the past 35+ years — oaks that improve our urban forest, regenerate oak woodland habitat and make the Sacramento region a more wonderful place to live.

How do I get involved

Seed to Seedling and Acorn Harvest

Ten SacTree volunteers stand around a table full of acorns. — *Volunteers sorting through valley oak acorns at a community harvest event in October 2023.*

While sign-ups for the Seed to Seedling 2023-2024 school year are now closed, parents and educators are encouraged to use our free curriculum, activities, and resources all year long! For more information visit, please visit sactree.org/seedtoseedling .

Sign-ups for the 2024-2025 school year will reopen in the fall. For those interested in joining us for the 2024 acorn harvest, sign-ups reopen in the late summer at sactree.org/acornharvest.

Planting Events

Planting season is happening now! Check out sactree.org/events to volunteer at a local planting, tree care, or reforestation event.