Urban TreeTracker Programs
Our educators bring hands-on activities to your classroom for one hour.
School Programs
Educating the next generation of environmental stewards.
We offer hands-on learning opportunities for grades PK-12. Our environmental education programs align with standards and project-based learning units and incorporate STE(A)M learning practices.
Program Goals
- Educate students about the importance of urban trees in the Atlanta metro.
- Connect students to nature in their local community through hands-on experiences.
- Engage students with lessons that use 3D learning and support science standards.
We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of different age groups and learning outcomes. Select a category below to help you find a program that best fits you and your learners!
New Program: Project ACER (grades 9-12)
In partnership with the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), Trees Atlanta offers Project ACER: Atlanta Canopy Education Research. Through in-class visits and a field trip, students generate questions about trees’ benefits that they are interested in exploring, collect data on the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum, and analyze data using iTree to explore their chosen topic. This 3-class series aligns to high school science and math standards. Project ACER is available (all fees are waived) for participating schools in the 2025-2026 school year, including buses to and from Trees Atlanta for the field trip.
Questions? Email utt@treesatlanta.org
Atlanta Public Schools
Do you work at an Atlanta Public School? Great news! The City of Atlanta provides funding for all APS schools, meaning these programs are FREE for you and your students!
Additionally, we have collaborated with APS’s Office of Science to align our programs with K-5’s science scope and sequence! Check out your grade’s guide below.
K-5 Overview Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade
Here's What Students and Teachers Have To Say
Teachers and students agree – Trees Atlanta’s school programs provide fun and impactful learning opportunities!
Urban TreeTracker Programs
Our Urban TreeTracker programs are 1-hour sessions where our educators come to you! Choose the program that best fits your students and addresses your content standards.
We highly encourage scheduling multiple classes on the same day to maximize our educators’ time at your school.
See programs and standards alignment by grade level here.
Program Options
Animals and Seeds (Grades Pre-K - 2nd)
Description
Students learn about how animals native to Georgia help in the dispersal of seeds. During a modified game of “Red Light, Green Light” where they pretend to be different animals, students model how seeds spread through an ecosystem.
Logistics
- Time: 1 hour
- Max students: 30 students
- Location: Your classroom and a large space for running (e.g. a soccer field or basketball court)
- Weather Considerations: if you’re planning to use an outdoor space, we recommend booking this program during warmer months (February – November). We may need to change the program or reschedule the class if there is inclement weather (see our Weather policy in our Policies, Costs, & Procedures document).
Standards
PK: GELDS: CD-SC3.4a Observes, explores and describes a variety of animals and plants. Describes their basic needs and life cycles of living things.
GRADE 1: S1L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the basic needs of plants and animals.
GRADE 2: S2L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the life cycles of different living organisms.
- Construct an explanation of an animal’s role in dispersing seeds or in the pollination of plants.
Forest Products (Grades 1st - 5th)
Description
Students closely examine everyday objects and make educated guesses on which objects are made from trees. At the end, students learn which objects are forest products and see just how many objects unexpectedly come from trees.
Logistics
- Time: 1 hour
- Max students: 30 students
- Location: Your classroom
Standards
GRADE 3: S3L2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the effects of pollution (air, land, and water) and humans on the environment.
- Explore, research, and communicate solutions, such as conservation of resources and recycling of materials, to protect plants and animals.
Seasonal Seeds (Grades 3rd - 5th)
Description
Students test different methods of seed dispersal, like wind, water, and attachment, that trees and other plants use. Examples focus on plants native to Georgia.
Logistics
- Time: 1 hour
- Max students: 30 students
- Location: Your classroom
Standards
GRADE 3: S3L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the similarities and differences between plants, animals, and habitats found within geographic regions (Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plains, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau) of Georgia.
- Ask questions to differentiate between plants, animals, and habitats found within Georgia’s geographic regions.
GRADE 4: S4L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem.
- Develop a model to describe the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in a community.
Urban Forest 101 (Grades Pre-K - 3rd)
Description
Students identify parts of a plant by digging up weeds on their school campus and comparing and contrasting them to the parts of trees.
Logistics
- Time: 1 hour
- Max students: 30 students
- Location: Your classroom and a safe outdoor area where students can dig up weeds
- Weather Considerations: this program is designed to be outdoors, so we recommend booking it during warmer months (February – November). We may need to change the program or reschedule the class if there is inclement weather (see our Weather policy in our Policies, Costs, & Procedures document).
Standards
GRADE K: SKL2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to compare the similarities and differences in groups of organisms.
- Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants can be grouped according to their features.
GRADE 1: S1L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the basic needs of plants and animals.
- Develop models to identify the parts of a plant—root, stem, leaf, and flower.
GRADE 3: S3L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the similarities and differences between plants, animals, and habitats found within geographic regions.
- Ask questions to differentiate between plants, animals, and habitats found within Georgia’s geographic regions.
Urban Heat Island (Grades 3rd - 8th)
Description
Students investigate the effects of the sun’s heat on human-made and natural objects by collecting temperature data. Then, students discuss their results and learn about the concept of Urban Heat Islands, their causes, and how our urban tree canopy mitigates it.
Logistics
- Time: 1 hour
- Max students: 30 students
- Location: Your classroom and a safe outdoor area with human-made and natural objects (e.g. a courtyard or school garden away from other classes)
- Weather Considerations: this class relies on the sun’s heat for our outdoor investigation of the urban heat island effect. This class is best during warmer, sunnier months (March – October). We may need to change the program or reschedule the class if there is inclement weather (see our Weather policy in our Policies, Costs, & Procedures document).
Standards
GRADE 3: S3P1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the ways heat energy is transferred and measured.
- Plan and carry out an investigation to gather data using thermometers to produce tables and charts that illustrate the effect of sunlight on various objects.
GRADE 8: S8P2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the law of conservation of energy to develop arguments that energy can transform from one form to another within a system.
Urban Tree Identification (Grades 4th - 8th)
Description
Students learn about leaf characteristics by looking at leaf samples. Then students apply what they learned about leaf characteristics to identify tree species using a dichotomous key.
Logistics
- Time: 1 hour
- Max students: 30 students
- Location: Your classroom
Standards
GRADE 5: S5L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to group organisms using scientific classification procedures.
GRADE 7: S7L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to investigate the diversity of living organisms and how they can be compared scientifically.
Water and Trees (Grades 3rd - 6th)
Description
Students model how water molecules move through the water cycle by pretending to be water droplets traveling to different stations in our environment that have water. We highlight the role of trees in the water cycle.
Logistics
- Time: 1 hour
- Max students: 30 students
- Location: Your classroom
Standards
GRADE 4: S4E3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to demonstrate the water cycle.
- Develop models to illustrate multiple pathways water may take during the water cycle (evaporation, condensation, and precipitation).
GRADE 6: S6E3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to recognize the significant role of water in Earth’s processes.
Pricing
Program Cost:
- APS Schools: FREE – Paid for by funding from the City of Atlanta
- Other Public, Title I schools: Funding opportunities available
- All other schools: $150 for the first class, $75 for each additional class booked on the same day
Travel Fees:
- Less than 15 miles from Trees Atlanta: $0 per day
- Between 16 and 25 miles from Trees Atlanta: $30 per day
- More than 26 miles from Trees Atlanta: $50 per day
To keep your costs low and to stay more sustainable, we highly encourage scheduling multiple classes on the same day to maximize our educators’ time at your school and reduce our travel emissions.
Field Trips
Looking to get your students outside the classroom? Check out our off-campus learning opportunities. Our educators work with you to meet your students’ needs and your purpose for the learning experience.
Field Trip Options
Service Learning Project (Grades 3+)
Description
Students receive a brief environmental education lesson to understand why and how their service activity improves our community and environment.
Then students engage in one of the following service activities, depending on the season, group age, number of students, and location:
- Invasive species removal
- Mulching and watering
- Seed collection
Logistics
Projects are scheduled based on availability of staff and project schedules as well as the order of requests received. Service Learning Projects must be scheduled during school hours.
- Location: Trees Atlanta TreeHouse and nearby Beltline or an agreed upon location in your community
- Time: 1 – 1.5 hours
- Max students: 60 students; if you have a group larger than 60 students, reach out to us at utt@treesatlanta.org
- Required chaperones: 2 chaperones, one of whom must be a school staff member
Pricing
- APS Schools: Fees waived – thanks to funding from the City of Atlanta
- Qualifying Title I schools that have enrolled in UTT (current school year): No charge
- All other schools: $150 per group of up to 30 students.
- School staff and other chaperones are free of charge. No more than 8 adults per 30 students, please.
Request a Service Learning Project
If this does not describe your group, you are very welcome to volunteer with us through our general volunteer program. Please view our calendar of events for upcoming volunteer projects and register individually as space allows.
Tree Trek (Grades 3+)
Description
During a Tree Trek, schools can expect to participate in a leisurely tour where the environmental educator or docent shares their knowledge of the history, plants, wildlife, and other notable facts of the area they are visiting. This tour can be modified to support the schools requested learning targets with 2-3 months of prior notice to the requested field trip date.
Logistics
Tree Treks are scheduled based on availability of staff and the order of requests received. Tree Treks must be scheduled during school hours.
- Location: greenspace near your school (e.g. Beltline or community park)
- Time: 1 hour
- Max students: 50 students; if you have a group larger than 50 students, reach out to us at utt@treesatlanta.org
- Required chaperones: 2 chaperones, one of whom must be a school staff member
Pricing
- APS Schools: Fees waived – thanks to funding from the City of Atlanta
- Qualifying Title I schools that have enrolled in UTT (current school year): No charge
- All other schools: $150 per group of up to 25 students. Groups must be capped at 50 students.
- School staff and other chaperones are free of charge. No more than 8 adults per 25 students, please.
Schedule a Tree Trek!
Outdoor Learning Lab (Grades K+)
Description
Over the course of the day, students participate in a service learning project and grade-level appropriate activities. Your group will have the option to eat lunch at our campus.
Outdoor Learning Labs vary for different age groups. Email utt@treesatlanta.org for questions about specific requests or more details.
Logistics
Field Trips are scheduled based on availability of staff and project schedules as well as the order of requests received. Field Trips must be scheduled during school hours.
- Location: Trees Atlanta TreeHouse (825 Warner St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310)
- Time: 3.5-4 hours
- Max students: 80 students
- Required chaperones: minimum 1 chaperone per 10 students
Pricing
- APS Schools: Schedule a UTT program before your Outdoor Learning Lab, and receive your Outdoor Learning Lab for FREE! (UTT programs are also free for APS schools.)
- Title I schools: Schedule a UTT program before your Outdoor Learning Lab, and receive your Outdoor Learning Lab for HALF OFF. See pricing model below.
Number of Students Total Cost Cost Per Student 1 – 40 $250 $6.25+ 41 – 55 $360 $6.50 – $9 56 – 70 $420 $6 – $7.50 71 – 80 $480 $6 – $7 - All other schools: See pricing model below.
| Number of Students | Total Cost | Cost Per Student |
| 1 – 40 | $500 | $12.50+ |
| 41 – 55 | $720 | $13 – $18 |
| 56 – 70 | $840 | $12 – $15 |
| 71 – 80 | $960 | $12 – $14 |
For a breakdown of the Field Trip cost, please see our Policies, Cost, and Procedures document.
Schedule a Field Trip!
Special Programs
Special Events
Are you hosting a STE(A)M event, career day, or science fair? Let us know! We’d love to be involved and help bring engaging science activities to your community.
- STE(A)M Nights: We will set up our Trees Atlanta table and have a small age-appropriate activity for participants to complete.
- Career Day: We will present about Trees Atlanta, our mission, jobs we have here, and opportunities for students to get involved.
- Science Fair: We will be a guest judge for students who completed projects.
If you are interested in inviting Trees Atlanta to your program, email us at utt@treesatlanta.org to check our availability. Please include the following details in your message:
- Date
- Time
- Type of Event
- Estimated Number of Participants
- Age of Participants
- Specific Requests
Tree Plantings at Your School
Trees provide so many benefits, like cleaner air, more shade, and cooler temperatures. We want school children to experience these benefits and more by having trees planted on their school campus!
Trees can also provide more educational opportunities for students outside of the classroom. Trees can also be the center of a lessons, providing investigation opportunities for topics like ecosystems, habitats, and measuring. A small forested area can become an outdoor classroom for students to read or complete activities.
If you want more trees at your school, we would love to help! Connect with our Community Forestry team to discuss your goals, scout your campus, select tree species, and plan your planting event with your students.
Policies, Cost, & Procedures
Each program description includes pricing information. For more information about booking policies and procedures, please reference our Program Fees and Policies document. If you have further questions, please contact utt@treesatlanta.org.
Questions?
Contact us at utt@treesatlanta.org
