Growing Futures: chati south boarding school Tree Planting Activity
Pupils take the lead in greening their enviroment, planting 160 trees in a single day
On a bright Friday morning, the grounds of Chati South Boarding School came alive with energy and purpose as students exchanged their textbooks for trowels, stepping into action to make their campus greener and more sustainable. The tree-planting initiative, proudly sponsored by the One World Nature Conservation Alliance (OWNCA) and led by Reforestation and Conservation Officer Mark Simwanza, brought together over 30 enthusiastic pupils. United by a shared commitment to the environment, the students voluntarily planted more than 100 saplings throughout the school grounds, marking a powerful step toward ecological restoration and climate action.
When children plant trees, they're not just putting saplings in the ground—they're planting hope for the future. Today, our students have become guardians of the environment and ambassadors for sustainability.
— Ms. Mwaka Mweenda, Science Teacher, CSBS
Why Tree Planting Matters in Schools
Tree planting initiatives in educational institutions serve multiple critical purposes. Beyond the obvious environmental benefits, these activities:
Practical Environmental Education
Hands-on learning about ecosystems, photosynthesis, and conservation principles.
Community Ownership
Students develop pride and responsibility for their school environment.
Climate Action
Direct contribution to carbon sequestration and local temperature regulation.
Chati South Boarding Secondary School initiative aligns with Zambia's national reforestation goals and provides a model for other schools looking to integrate environmental education with practical action.
Students participated in the event
Native trees planted across the school
Expected temperature reduction in school grounds
The Day's Activities: More Than Just Planting
The tree planting day was carefully structured to maximize educational value while ensuring every student had a meaningful role:
Morning Assembly & Education Session
Students gathered for an interactive presentation on the importance of trees, local species, and proper planting techniques. Presentation by Mark Simwanza
Team Assignments
Pupils formed mixed-age groups with specific responsibilities: digging, planting, watering, and labeling.
Planting Phase
Students planted native species including Moringa, Jacaranda, and Fruit Trees across strategic locations around the school.
Watering System Setup
later students assigned among themselve days to water the planted trees
Tree Adoption & Journaling
Each student adopted a tree, creating personalized identification tags and starting a growth journal.
in the days to come, i want to come a have a fruit from the orange tree. maybe by then i must have completed school
— David Mwale, Grade 12 Pupil
Pupil Participation: The Heart of the Initiative
The event's success stemmed from the thoughtful involvement of students at every level:
Beyond the Event: Sustaining the Green Vision
The tree planting day was just the beginning of Chati School's environmental commitment:
- Tree Adoption Program: Each student is responsible for one tree's care and monitoring
- OWNCA Club Formation: A new student-led environmental club meets weekly
- Curriculum Integration: Teachers developed lesson plans connecting trees to science, math, and art
- Community Outreach: Students will take saplings home to plant in their neighborhoods
- Monitoring System: Growth tracking and survival rate evaluation
Long-Term Environmental Benefits
of CO2 to be absorbed annually
of birds expected to return
reduction in soil erosion
Community and Partnership Impact
The initiative brought together various stakeholders in a shared environmental mission:
Collaborative Efforts
- Parent Volunteers: Over 7 parents participated alongside their children
- District Education Office: Recognized the program as a model for other schools
- OWNCA Support: Provided tools,Donated 160 saplings, technical guidance, educational materials, and coordination
Seeing children take ownership of their environment is powerful. This initiative goes beyond tree planting it's growing a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who understand their role in protecting our planet.
— Mark Simwanza- Reforestation and Conservation Officer, OWNCA
Looking to the Future
Chati South Boarding School tree planting initiative has planted seeds for an ongoing environmental program:
- Expansion: Planting 200 more trees annually to create a school forest
- Food Security: Establishing a fruit orchard to supplement school meals
- Water Conservation: Installing rainwater harvesting systems for irrigation
- Education: Developing a green curriculum focused on sustainability
- Community Nursery: Creating a student-run nursery to supply saplings
A Living Legacy
These trees will grow alongside Chati School's students, providing shade for future generations, cleaner air for the community, and hands-on lessons in environmental stewardship. The true impact will be measured not just in carbon sequestered, but in environmental leaders cultivated.
Mark Simwanza
Reforestation and Conservation Officer, One World Nature Conservation Alliance
Mark has coordinated environmental programs for 5 years across Zambia. He holds a Bachelors's in agroforestry from the Copperbelt and specializes in creating hands-on learning experiences that connect youth with nature.