The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for its Shade Trees on Playgrounds program through Sept. 19, 2025.
Selected schools will receive up to five Arkansas-native trees along with mulch, watering supplies, planting guidelines and on-site assistance from department staff. Plantings will take place this fall during ceremonies that involve students.
The program, launched to reduce childhood exposure to direct sunlight and lower long-term skin cancer risks, has provided trees to about 185 schools statewide over the past 23 years. Teachers at participating schools also receive curriculum resources on the environmental benefits of trees, how shade reduces skin cancer risk and how to care for young trees…