Agroforestry program template for public schools

Agroforestry for Our Public Schools

Create a working template (field installation and associated program) to establish agroforestry systems in public schools throughout the State, since the majority of public schools lack trees and plants as a basic amenity. Minimum goals of the proposed idea are: 1) Provide cooling school campuses/play yards which adds to climate change mitigation; 2) Providing social skills and interaction for students; 3) Providing academic curriculum that supports STEM (through the design, installation, maintenance aspects of the agroforestry system); 4) Provides a direct way to mitigate food insecurity for students, their family and surrounding community; 5) Addressing Indigenous Equity by reconnecting students and the surrounding community with Hawaiian cultural practices; 6) Providing physical exercise for students; 7) Increasing tree canopy not only on the campuses, but for the State; 8) Creating workforce development opportunities for students in the areas of agriculture and urban forestry. Context given: children in Hawaiʻi face public health issues such as obesity, increasing ADHD, diabetes, and food insecurity, compounded by unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, social isolation, depression and mental stress, and nature (trees, shrubs, etc.) is a vital component of the social and economic health of where children live, work, play and learn.