Mount Vernon Earns Arbor Day Foundation Tree Campus K-12 Recognition

Amid ongoing tree removal along Mount Vernon Highway, we’re proud to share a positive environmental story from our own campus. Mount Vernon has been honored with the prestigious Tree Campus K-12 recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation, making us the first school in metro Atlanta to achieve this distinction. This recognition highlights our school’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the leadership of our students in driving sustainability efforts.

Student-Led Sustainability Efforts

The movement began three years ago when Nathan, Oliver, and Tucker—then Kindergarten students—founded the Tree Club supported by their science teacher, Eileen Fennelly. Now, third graders, passion for trees has sparked a school-wide initiative, with the Tree Club growing to over 60 members. Collaborating with Upper School students, they have led hands-on projects like creating tree-shaped corn hole games, which were unveiled during a special Earth Day event last spring.

A Campus-Wide Culture of Sustainability

Upper School students, led by Sustainability Prefect Beau Reinking (Class of 2025), have amplified these efforts. From repurposing cooking oil into biodiesel to launching single-stream recycling, the Sustainability Committee is creating a greener campus and changing mindsets about what it means to live sustainably. Beau explains, “We’re here to empower others to take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future.”

Connecting to the Global Conversation

This recognition comes just in time for Climate Week NYC (September 22–29), linking our local efforts to the global movement for environmental action. The work of Mount Vernon’s students reflects the next generation’s role in tackling climate challenges, demonstrating how schools can foster environmental leadership.

Earning the Tree Campus K-12 Honor

To receive the Tree Campus K-12 recognition, Mount Vernon met four key goals:
Maintaining a dedicated Tree Campus team.
Implementing an educational plan connecting students to the global benefits of trees.
Offering hands-on experiences that engage students with trees and the community.
Holding an Arbor Day celebration to honor trees within our school.

These efforts have strengthened our connection to the environment and fostered a culture of sustainability across the entire campus. Together, we’re growing toward a greener future—one that’s rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and care for our world.