The Environmental Club may not be the most well-known club of Beaver Area High School, but it sure is making a difference in the environment—one tree at a time.

The Environmental Club, led by Mrs. Patti Keith since the club’s inception, has been an official club for about 20 years. They are notably known for enforcing the school’s recycling of paper and picking up stray trash around the school.

However, this year the club took environmental health a step further and decided to raise money to plant a tree—specifically, a swamp white oak—outside the school.

Raising money to plant a tree is no new feat for the club, but it is an old one.

“We used to plant trees, but it’s probably been 15 years since we’ve planted a tree. But, when the club first originated, we planted a tree every year,” remarked Keith.

The tree cost $250, and in order to raise the money needed, the club decided to take a more creative route. In the section of the school between the 300’s and 200’s hall, the club created a large kraft paper tree that was barren and leafless. The goal was to, via monetary donations, turn the tree from a leafless winter tree into a lush, leaf-and-animal-filled summer tree!

So, during the sixth and seventh period lunches the two weeks prior to (the one day of) Easter break, club members sold acorns for 50¢, leaves for $1, birds for $2, and squirrels for $5. (Loose donations were also welcomed!)

The students then were allowed to decorate what they bought to their heart’s content, and it would later be placed on the tree.

Thanks to those who purchased the natural items for the hall’s tree, the money has been raised in full, and the real tree was planted on the school grounds April 25 across from the senior parking lot.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to buying the tree.