YNDC and Summit Academy Students Plant Trees at School

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

On Wednesday, September 30, YNDC and Summit Academy partnered to plant six trees at the school.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program Assistant Jacob Stanko and Certified Arborist and Training Manager Lola Lewis demonstrated the various steps of tree planting to two groups of students. While students took on planting, Jacob and Lola discussed care tips, different species, and benefits of street trees.

In total, YNDC planted 16 trees at Summit Academy, with students planting six of them.

Summit Academy science teacher, Jennifer McCoy, said the experience can be used later to support the students’ curriculum. “It’s such an important opportunity because now they actually have a real life experience of being involved and knowing what it takes to grow a tree but also what it takes to keep the trees thriving,” she said. “We're actually getting ready to teach ecology in my biology class, so this will definitely be one of those things that I can utilize in class and refer back to.”