The City of Wyoming Tree Commission, also known as The Tree Amigos, is partnering with Wyoming Public Schools and Kent School Services Network to plant the Beverly Bryan Community Orchard on the West Elementary school grounds. To get the project going, Tree Commission Vice President Greg Bryan donated $5,000 for the orchard, named in memory of his late wife. Bryan also donated an additional $5,000 for the commission’s street tree program. Additional funding has been pledged as well.
Originally, the partners had agreed to begin planting fruit trees next spring. However, when Habitat for Humanity of Kent County Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator Ben Johnson contacted West Elementary KSSN liaison Erika VanDyke with the opportunity to rescue apple trees from a lot to be cleared for housing, the Amigos jumped into action. On Saturday, Aug. 26, the commission members hope to assemble a group of volunteers to dig up 12 trees and replant them at the school.
The orchard will provide opportunities for children to learn about where their food comes from through hands-on experience planting, tending and harvesting the orchard. It will also expand academic opportunities in various areas of study through Arbor Day Foundation curricula. As the school has a very high free and reduced lunch rate, the orchard will increase food insecurity by providing fresh fruit and berries for students and families. Students will be able to eat the fruit as snacks and with lunch during the school day and take fruit home to supplement their family diets.
“When Erika and I first met to discuss how the tree commission and West Elementary could partner on a project, we decided that an orchard would involve parents and students in a fun, healthy school project,” said Tree Commission Chair Stelle Slootmaker. “We also plan on sharing the harvest with nearby neighbors as a means of growing community. And of course, these trees will also increase the City of Wyoming’s tree canopy, the commission’s major goal.”
If you’d like to help rescue the apple trees and plant the orchard, please email TreeAmigosWyoming@gmail.com.
For information on The Tree Amigos, like The Tree Amigos on Facebook or email TreeAmigosWyoming@gmail.com.
