Community Unites to Purchase, Plant Trees at Mamie Towles Elementary School

Nearly two dozen local businesses, agencies and individuals have joined forces to transform the Mamie Towles Elementary School playground with a tree planting initiative. Twenty large, climate-resilient trees will be planted on the playground and campus at Mamie Towles Elementary School on Saturday, June 24. Specific details on the event are below. As they grow, these carefully selected trees will create shade and provide long-lasting ecological benefits for the school and entire neighborhood.

Earlier this year, parents Megan Dettenmaier and Pam Silar - both of whom have first-year Mamie Towles students -noticed the lack of trees around the playgrounds at the school. They realized that if the landscape was going to change, they would need to spearhead the project. Trees provide shade, ecological and health benefits, yet the playground at Mamie Towles Elementary is practically treeless.

Dettenmaier and Silar began collaborating with sponsors and making plans, and eight months later, they organized a major tree planting on the playground. They applaud the generosity of local businesses, leaders, volunteers and community organizations that have enabled this project to succeed.

"Our hope is that this can serve as a template for other schools to follow," said Dettenmaier. "Our mission has always been simple: we need to plant large, climate-resilient trees for the health and safety of all kids in all communities. A greener, healthier future requires action today. As the saying goes, 'The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago, the second-best time is today.'"

Two of the trees will be dedicated to notable individuals in the school family: longtime principal Rhonda Van Deusen, who is retiring this month; and student Julia Julian, a pre-kindergarten student who passed away during the school year. The tree project was the result of a partnership between Mamie Towles Elementary School, the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and the City of Reno's ReLeaf program, which is designed to preserve and expand Reno's urban forest.

The City of Reno contributed over $10,500 toward this initiative through in-kind and financial contributions. Of that, $5000 was donated to ReLeaf Reno by Councilmember Naomi Duerr from her discretionary funds. ReLeaf Reno contributed those funds directly to this project. Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve donated an additional $500.

"Having a strong tree canopy in any community is vital especially for our youth," said Reno City Councilmember Naomi Duerr. "These trees will not only provide shade and cleaner air for our students, but living classrooms for future generations to learn about nature and the changing seasons. My own interest in science began under the shade of trees on my elementary school playground."

ReLeaf Reno has provided discounts on trees to residents who agree to plant and maintain the trees on their property to increase Reno's tree canopy. Trees contribute to residents' quality of life by removing carbon dioxide, filtering air pollutants, recharging groundwater, cutting costs of heating and cooling and reducing stormwater run-off.

"Our students, staff members and the community at large will watch these beautiful trees grow and will benefit from them for decades to come," said Towles Elementary School Principal Rhonda Van Deusen. "We are beyond grateful for the contributions and hard work within our community that made the tree project possible."

In addition to ReLeaf Reno and Mamie Towles Elementary School families and staff members, additional community support has been provided by:

• Reno Mayor Hilary Schieve

• Reno City Councilmember Naomi Duerr

• Mamie Towles Parent Teacher Organization

• Washoe County School District Capital Projects Department

• Nevada Cancer Coalition Sun Smart Nevada/Sun Smart Schools

• Nevada Society for Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery

• Full Circle Soils and Compost

• Neenan Archistruction

• Omega Landscape Solutions

• Western Nevada Supply

• Moana Nursery

• Overhead Fire Protection

• Briggs Electric

• RHP Mechanical

• Bonanno Concrete

• Western Partitions Incorporated

• Nevada Commercial Coatings

• Kemper Masonry

• Quick Space

• Elite Curb and Concrete

• Equipment Share

Tree Planting Event Information:

What: Volunteers will plant 20 large, donated trees at Mamie Towles Elementary School. Anyone who would like to help with the planting may sign up at https://forms.gle/mF1iqNASemixLfu79

When: Saturday, June 24, 8 a.m.

Where: Mamie Towles Elementary School grounds 2800 Kings Row Reno

Who: Parents and Students of Mamie Towles Elementary, Community Partners

Note to media: Megan Dettenmaier is the media contact for the event [email protected]

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