April 26-30 is Every Kid Healthy Week. This national celebration promotes the importance of well-rounded health in children – not just physical, but also social and emotional health. One easy way to maintain each of these types of health is to spend time outside among trees. Spending time among trees is scientifically proven to reduce stress and boost the immune system. And when kids appreciate the benefits trees provide not just us, but also our planet, it can start them on the path of lifelong love for the natural world.

At the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the State Nursery has been helping schools and youth groups inspire care for the natural world in children for decades. Since 1985, the Nursery’s School Seedling program has distributed more than 900,000 tree and shrub seedlings to more than 25,000 schools and youth programs at no cost to recipients. Each winter the School Seedling program accepts thousands of applications from educators across the state and students receive their seedlings in spring. Kids are able to get outside at seedling planting events where they connect with community trees and learn about our environment and the benefits of trees in a hands-on and personal way.
Each year the last day of Every Kid Healthy Week also happens to be Arbor Day! If you’re celebrating Every Kid Healthy Week with family or friends at home, consider capping it off on Arbor Day with a safe stroll to check out your neighborhood’s trees. Enjoying some fresh air while appreciating everything trees do for us and our world will benefit all types of health for all ages.  




Please note: School Seedlings is a New York State program only open to schools and youth organizations within New York, and this year’s application period has closed.