Keep Tempe Beautiful plants trees at schools, parks

Tempe is a bit more beautiful this weekend because of the work of 31 volunteers.

Keep Tempe Beautiful volunteers planted 34 trees April 27 at Meyer Montessori and Ward Traditional schools and Rotary Park, according to a release from the organization.

“One of the major goals that Keep Tempe Beautiful has is to beautify our city, and trees are a great way to add to Tempe’s beauty,” Keep Tempe Beautiful Executive Director Joe Forte said.

"Trees offer students more than just shade on sunny days. They provide tangible benefits that enhance educational experiences. Trees instill a sense of environmental stewardship in students, fostering a connection to nature that is essential for the future of our planet."

The third planting event is in keeping with the city’s mission to beautify Tempe and increase the city's tree canopy coverage.

“Tempe aims to create a more resilient city in the face of extreme heat, with a goal of achieving a 25% tree and shade canopy by 2040,” the release stated.

The schools, Meyer Montessori and Ward Traditional Academy, are part of the Tempe elementary school district and combined they serve more than 500 students from kindergarten to fifth grades.