Placer County Tree Preservation Fund helps bring new trees to Sheridan Elementary School

Published on May 28, 2019 

Sheridan Elementary School last week planted 18 new trees on its campus thanks to funding from the Placer County Tree Preservation Fund. 

The school’s athletic fields are now lined with trees that will grow to provide shade and greenery for students and community members alike.

“The students are very excited to have trees on the fields and next to the play structure,” Sheridan Elementary School Principal Emily Ortiz said. “They will provide a calm place for students to gather and have a snack, do a writing project or listen to a story.” 

Shade structures for school playgrounds are costly. Small schools like Sheridan often do not have the resources to purchase such structures. 

When discussing alternative options, Western Placer Unified School District staff recalled that Lincoln’s Glen Edwards Middle School had received funding from the Tree Preservation Fund several years ago, and initiated the application process for their own school. 

The Placer County Tree Preservation Fund is used to enhance the tree canopy of Placer County by preserving existing forested land, planting new trees and providing tree-related educational materials for the community. 

The Tree Preservation Fund has also been used to secure conservation easements on, or purchase properties with, significant oak woodland in locations across Placer County. 

Through the fund, Placer County has planted new native trees on public property in Granite Bay, Auburn, Lincoln, Sheridan and Meadow Vista, at county offices, local schools and along sidewalks. 

Local developers pay into the fund when they mitigate for trees impacted by projects. Funding also comes from penalties for the improper removal of trees by developers or residents.  

“We recognize the importance of trees and forests in providing a multitude of values that protect and enhance the quality of our environment here in Placer County,” senior planner Christopher Schmidt said.  

“These trees will provide beauty, serenity, cooling shade and good health to Sheridan’s residents and visitors for generations to come,” Schmidt said. 

For places like Sheridan Elementary, which serve both as educational centers and hubs for community events, the benefits of these trees are much needed. 

“Our community participation has been increasing at all of our events and the community members are excited about the improvements that are being made on our campus. We have had a lot of positive responses already about the trees,” Ortiz said. 

Sheridan Elementary School students helped plant the trees, which included Red Maples, Elms, Raywood Ash, and Crape Myrtles. 

“[Through this program] Placer County is letting Sheridan know that no school or town is too small to receive the benefits of [tree planting funding] like this,” Ortiz said. 

“This project is a neat collaboration and will bring even more beauty and revitalization to Sheridan,” said District 2 Supervisor Robert Weygandt. “I’m excited for the students to enjoy the new trees at Sheridan Elementary School.”

Learn more about the importance of trees in Placer County here.