HENRICO, Va – Lynnhaven School is the only school in Virginia and one of 70 elementary, middle, and high schools across the United States to earn recognition through the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus K-12 program.

The Arbor Day Foundation is the largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to tree planting. Its Tree Campus K-12 program, launched last year, encourages educators to create meaningful opportunities for students to interact with trees.

“Spending time in nature sparks children’s imaginations, improves their mental and physical health, and shapes them into lifelong environmental stewards,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “We are thrilled to see schools like Lynnhaven School lead the way in this important work.”

To earn this distinction, Lynnhaven School met four goals:

• Maintain a Tree Campus team that is dedicated to achieving recognition
• Create an education plan that connects students to trees and their global benefits
• Offer a hands-on experience that engages students in trees and the community
• Hold an Arbor Day observance to celebrate trees within the school or the community

“We continue to see the benefits of making the environment a priority in our curriculum and our school culture. It is no coincidence that our school emblem is a Sassafras leaf,” said Casey Hitchcock, Co-Head of School for Lynnhaven School. “Our students will leave this haven and enter the world with respect, knowledge, and understanding of the role they must play to ensure green spaces remain for generations to come.”

The recognized schools span 31 states. Lynnhaven School is the only school in Virginia and one of only two independent schools in the nation to be recognized. In the first year of the program, more than 15,000 students participated in an Arbor Day celebration, and nearly 30,000 trees were planted.

Other Arbor Day Foundation recognition programs include Tree City USA, Tree Campus Higher Education, and Tree Campus Healthcare. Working together, the four programs celebrate tree planting efforts at nearly every community level.

To learn more and see the full list of recognized schools, visit arborday.org/K12.

About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.  

As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.

Mechanicsville, Virginia - The Lynnhaven Lynx Cross Country team opened their season on Saturday, September 10th at Pole Green Park Cross Country Classic hosted by Mechanicsville High School. The meet brought out over 60 teams across the Commonwealth. 

Lynnhaven team veteran, Jaylen Hayes (FR) and Kevin Ellis (SR) competed on the varsity level. Hayes completed his race with a time of 24:49.3., which was only 20 second off from his PR (Personal Record). Ellis made his competitive cross country debut with a time of 28:28. 6. In the middle school division and also first time cross country athlete, Charlie (Row) Petres (8th GR), completed in the 4K  and finished with a time of 24.55.0.

The Lynnhaven Lynx invites everyone out to Pole Green Park  for their next meet on Saturday, September 17th for the RVA Relays at 4:30 PM.