Lantrip Elementary also receives $20,000 grant for campus beautification project

Lantrip Elementary School and Austin High School are the recipients of two grants from the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation that will fund the planting of 25-30 trees at each campus in the coming week.

The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF), an international nonprofit organization dedicated to planting fruit trees to improve health, strengthen communities and combat climate change, has joined the East End’s GreenSchools! Greenbelt, which currently includes Austin, Lantrip and Jackson Middle schools.

The GreenSchools! Greenbelt initiative, funded by the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council, connects schools and communities through campus and community greening efforts in Houston’s East End.

The grants fund the planting of fruit trees at each school to conceptualize a “green corridor” between schools and provide nutritious food resources.

“Austin is so pleased to be part of this important initiative to teach our students the value of fresh foods, the benefits of mindful care of our environment and of focused teamwork,” said Austin High School Principal Jorge Arredondo. “We are proud to be part of this effort and look forward to fruitful harvests in the years to come.”

As part of the effort to establish the greenbelt of schools in the city’s East End, Lantrip also recently received a $20,000 grant from Keep America Beautiful to provide for extensive remodeling of the outdoor space at the school.

“We aim to create a designated space for physical activity and science exploration that allows students to actively engage in nature while promoting environmental stewardship, in keeping with our school’s environmental science theme,” said Lantrip Principal Magdalena Strickland.

Three upcoming events to plant the fruit trees are scheduled to take place in Houston’s East End:

• Sunday, Dec. 15, noon to 3 p.m.: Community members, families, students, partnering agencies and the FTPF’s team of experts will prepare the Lantrip campus (100 Telephone Road) for the primary planting event on Tuesday.
• Monday, Dec. 16, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.: The FTPF’s team of experts will hold an educational training at Austin High School (1700 Dumble) regarding pre-planting site preparation, care and maintenance of fruit trees, and a discussion of health benefits related to eating fruit. A guided planting event will take place.
• Tuesday Dec. 17, 9 to 11 a.m.: The FTPF will return to Lantrip Elementary. The planting event will take place, which will include educational programs and activities with students and teachers alongside dedicated community members and partners.

“Our goal is to educate children about the health benefits of growing fruit trees and encourage healthy eating,” Strickland said.