Making the Shade Program
The Making the Shade Program, created by the Georgia Forestry Commission in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, is designed to create healthier, shaded playground areas on elementary school campuses throughout Georgia. Traditional elementary school campus designs often eliminate the health benefits provided by shade trees. The Georgia Forestry Commission encourages communities to maximize the benefits of trees, while minimizing any relevant risks. Technical and financial assistance, up to $10,000, is available to plant trees on school grounds. A dollar for dollar match is required.
Program Objectives
Through the strategic planting of shade trees this program hopes to:
- Reduce surface temperatures of school yards and playground equipment which can cause serious and painful burns to students
- Reduce ultraviolet radiation which causes skin damage
- Reduce ground level ozone by cooling play areas
- Decrease temperatures on playgrounds which will improve air quality and lessen the risk for children with asthma and other lung related issues
- Allow activities in green settings which can reduce the symptoms of AD/HD and improve test scores
- Increase energy conservation by shading air conditioning equipment, windows and buildings.
Planting during a drought (back to top)
Although Georgia is currently experiencing drought conditions and watering restrictions are in place for many parts of the state, we do encourage schools, as well as communities and homeowners, to continue planting trees. Trees provide multiple benefits
such as reducing surface temperatures and soil erosion, which helps improve water quality. Planting and establishing new trees ensure that as mature trees age, others are in place to provide these benefits and more.
Here are some tips to help weather the dry conditions:
- Mulch trees. (Add mulch at a depth of three inches. Place it over the tree roots. Do not place mulch against the tree trunk.)
- Use recycled water or gray water from your home (dehumidifier, air conditioning condensate, or shower before it heats.)
- Pump water from other sources such as detention ponds, lakes, creeks or cisterns. Remember to get permission from the landowners if the water source is not on your property.
- Use gator bags and refill them with recycled water.
- Ask the fire department to use water that is recycled from their trucks. Follow crews as the fire hydrants are drained and collect the water. A large tank is needed to collect water as it is under high pressure.
- Get a permit (contact your local county government) and pay to bring water in from other sources. Your trees provide more benefits than this cost.
- When you are able to provide water, the most beneficial time to irrigate plants is during the late night and early morning hours. Evaporation is minimized, and the foliage has time to dry out during daylight hours. Evening watering is efficient for water use, but should be applied after dew is on the leaf surfaces
- Install a rain barrel at your planting site.
Program Components (back to top)
- Program participants are required to contact and work with their local Sustainable Community Forestry Program (SCFP) forester.
- Participating schools are required to incorporate information about the program and the benefits of trees into their curriculum.
- Tree planting must be for associated health benefits, not for beautification.
- Participating schools or their project partners must agree to maintain the trees. Funding is not provided for maintenance.
- Milliken & Company provides funding to selected schools in communities where there are Milliken facilities.
Eligibility (back to top)
The following organizations are eligible for funding up to $10,000:
- Elementary schools
- Elementary school Parent-Teacher organizations
- Community tree groups
- Neighborhood associations
Timeline (back to top)
Schools and groups interested in the Making the Shade program can get involved at any time by contacting their local Sustainable Community Forestry Program (SCFP) forester.
For 2008/2009, the Making the Shade grant program can provide financial assistance according to the following timeline:
- Grant applications/proposals due on May 9, 2008
- Grant awards determined and recipients notified in mid July
- Grant projects begin on September 1, 2008 and must be completed by August 31, 2009
Grant Application and Guidelines (back to top)
The 2008 Making the Shade Grant Application and Guidelines are now available.
Grant Workshops (back to top)
For more information about the grant program and techniques for submitting a successful application, please contact your local GFC Sustainable Community Forestry Program Forester or Joan Scales, Grant Administrator, at jscales@gfc.state.ga.us or (678) 476-6226.
Program Participants (back to top)
2006/2007
- Gaines Elementary School in partnership with the Athens-Clarke County Community Tree Council and Woodland Gardens - Athens, GA
- Cheatham Hill Elementary School in partnership with the Cheatham Hill Elementary School PTA - Marietta, GA
- Franklin Forest Elementary School in partnership with Milliken & Company - LaGrange, GA
- Central Franklin Elementary School - Carnesville, GA
2007/2008
- Cherokee Elementary School - Cedartown, GA
- May Howard Elementary School in partnership with the Savannah Tree Foundation - Savannah, GA
- Russom Elementary School in partnership with Russom Elementary PTA - Dallas, GA
- Social Circle Elementary School in partnership with the Social Circle Tree Board - Social Circle, GA
