LHS NOAA Planet Stewards share their passion for the environment

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Leone High School’s NOAA Planet Stewards in collaboration with local non-profit organization Fatoata focused their efforts on Arbor Day last week by going into their neighboring elementary schools and community to plant trees. They planted 30 local trees throughout the island including Autapini Coastal Park, Leone, Alataua Elementary and Leone Midkiff Elementary. They were also able to give away several futu and milo to community members who wanted to plant trees at their homes

During the school year the Plant Stewards have been hard at work removing the invasive lusina (leadtree). With April being the month that Earth Day and Arbor Day are celebrated, the Stewards took a break from lusina removal and set about planting trees.

Alataua Elementary and Leone Midkiff Elementary both welcomed the Stewards on campus. The Stewards shared their knowledge on the invasive Lusina tree and then collaborated with elementary students to plant trees on their respective campuses.

They removed a total of 592 invasive leadtrees between the Leone sites and Autapini Costal Park in Fagatogo. The Stewards were able to pick up a total of 586 pounds of marine debris throughout the school year in their designated project sites.

It was a full, productive school year that brought a lot of insight to students and participants in the importance of protecting our environment.

Arbor Day and Earth Day are among the yearly ‘days’ that raise awareness and promote action towards environmental conservation and sustainability. Arbor Day, is dedicated to planting and nurturing trees, which helps to mitigate climate change, fosters biodiversity, and enhances the quality of air and water. It serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness with nature and the responsibility to safeguard it for future generations. Earth Day, serves as a platform to mobilize individuals, communities, and government agencies in addressing environmental challenges, from pollution and deforestation to climate change and loss of biodiversity.

Together, these observances foster a culture of environmental stewardship, encouraging collective efforts to preserve and protect Am. Samoa’s ecosystems and resources. NOAA Planet Stewards thank everyone who helped to make the project a successful one this year and are looking forward to collaborating with more members of the community next year.

For more information on NOAA Planet Stewards, scan the QR code here.