Ridgewood Students Plant Trees, Dumpster Dive In Earth Day Celebration

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Ridgewood students planted trees, dumpster dove and walked to school in recognition of forthcoming Earth Day, according to officials.

Children in village schools have learned all about planet Earth this month in observance of the environmental education day, which is widely celebrated on April 22, officials said.

Perhaps the largest celebration was on Saturday, when the Ridgewood High School Green Club planted 17 native trees at an athletic field on campus to provide shade, minimize flood damage, and reduce the chance of sports balls ending up in a nearby brook.

“Stevens Field (at RHS) particularly suffers from a lack of shade, which exacerbates the effects of elevated temperatures athletes must deal with when on the turf field,” RHS Green Club advisor Miles Luo said.

Increased vegetation along the brook will also help to promote water absorption and reduce flood susceptibility, advisor Luo said.

Nearly 30 students, staff and Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission volunteers helped plant the saplings, the funds for which were sourced through a $2,000 Sustainable Jersey Schools grant awarded to the school last year, officials said.

“Students gained skills in tree planting, arbor culture, collaboration, and most importantly, satisfaction in knowing that their efforts are making a difference in the school community," Luo said.

The tree plantings were part of Ridgewood High School's first Sustainability Day, wherein — in addition to other activities — students and staff dug through, sorted and audited lunchtime trash to illustrate the extent of everyday lunchroom waste.

The "dumpster dives" was an effort created and continue by four RHS alumni (now college students), who gave a presentation before school administrators sorted through the garbage to find numerous recyclables and piles of wasted food.

Further educating Ridgewood students on best practices to help Mother Earth, Hawes Elementary School kicked off the annual Walking Fridays for the month of April, during which students meet the principal at a local corner and walk the remaining few blocks to school.

“It is great to show the students that walking to school is not only good for the Earth, but actually a great way to spend time with friends before school," principal Shauna Stovell said.

Another local school, Somerville Elementary, also held a day of Earth Day-themed activities, including an assembly on recycling and litter, and a vegetable planting.