TREEAMS Nurseries
Across partner Los Angeles schools, TREEAMS is planting nurseries with young native trees that will grow on school campuses before the trees are also planted across fire-impacted areas.
Less than half a year following our launch, the inaugural TREEAMS nursery was planted, with the second following in its steps, coming this May 19th, 2026!
About the TREEAMS Nursery Model
Developed by EF Academy, one of the key TREEAMS school collaborators, the TREEAMS nursery model is an innovative, practical solution to a real challenge in wildfire recovery:
● Many fire-impacted properties are not yet ready for replanting.
● Property owners prefer mature trees, which are usually more expensive.
● Instead of waiting, students are growing younger trees now and learning how to care for them as they grow to the size preferred by property owners.
● When the trees are ready to be permanently planted, the students will donate them to community members who lost their homes, especially the elderly, and to schools and parks impacted by the fires.
TREEAMS nurseries are established on school campuses, where students:
● Start with young native trees (typically 5-gallon)
● Transplant and nurture them into larger containers (e.g., 15-gallon)
● Care for them over 1–2 years as they mature
● Eventually plant them permanently in fire-impacted communities
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✳︎ We ✳︎ Love ✳︎ Our ✳︎ Nurseries
EF Academy &
Saint Marks
📍 Altadena / Pasadena
Following the Eaton Fire, Saint Mark’s School of Altadena found a new temporary home at EF Academy in neighboring beautiful Pasadena. In the same location that hosted the TREEAMS campaign launch in October 2025, it also became the site of the inaugural TREEAMS Tree Nursery. We are so excited to have such a strong Eastside Partner School as a leading force in our community of tree-planters!
Aldersgate Campus
📍 Pacific Palisades
The home of Seven Arrows Elementary and a hub for the SA Way of Education, Aldersgate Campus will be home to the first TREEAMS Westside Nursery while the school is restored and refurbished following the Palisades Fire. Aldersgate Campus will serve as a site for BioRemediation, Restoration, and Re-Planting.
Your School Here!
Launch your
Nursery Today!
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📍 Coming Soon!
There could be a Nursery at your school too! To find out more how your school can be involved, encourage your administration to learn more below!
5 Steps to Starting a TREEAMS Tree Nursery
1. Identify Your School Leaders
Start by building a core team of students, teachers, and staff who are passionate about environmental action and community impact. These leaders will drive the project, coordinate activities, and sustain momentum.
2. Contact TREEAMS (see button below!) and we will help you establish the process of becoming a TREEAMS Nursery and how to best Partner with Local Experts!
Engage professionals in your community – arborists, landscapers, nursery operators, designers, and grounds teams. Strong partnerships are a cornerstone of the TREEAMS model. Their expertise is essential for:
● Selecting appropriate tree species (consult the TREEAMS tree guide)
● Designing the nursery layout (There is no minimum size – nurseries can start small and grow over time. It can be a few trees or a few dozen -
whatever works for your school - every tree matters!)
● Ensuring proper planting and care (we recommend drip irrigation tied into your school’s water source)
3. Co-Design and Plant Your Nursery
Identify a suitable location on campus based on space, sunlight, and access to water. Then:
● Source native trees and materials from local nurseries and partners
● Prepare containers and soil (we recommend 5 gal trees transplanted into 15 gal containers, which they can grow into over 1-2 years)
● Host a student-led planting event to transplant the trees and establish the nursery
4. Integrate TREEAMS into School Life
Incorporate the TREEAMS curriculum developed by UCLA School of Education, EcoRise and Seven Arrows in a way that fits your school:
● Classroom instruction
● After-school programs
● Clubs or project-based learning
The goal is to connect hands-on work with environmental education and student leadership.
5. Plant Trees Back into the Community
This completes the full cycle – from student action to community restoration. When properties are ready and trees have matured:
● Coordinate with TREEAMS partners to identify planting sites
● Work with local property owners and community leaders
● Transition trees from campus to their permanent homes