In a colorful show of environmental commitment and youthful enthusiasm, the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project joined hands with secondary school students in Jos to commemorate World Environment Day with a tree-planting campaign aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and climate action.
The event, which brought together project officials, teachers, students of Government secondary schools located in Kwata and Anglo Jos turned into a lively celebration of stewardship, learning, and community spirit. Under the rainy Jos sky, students eagerly took part in planting young trees around their school premises and designated public spaces, each one contributing to the effort to protect the environment and secure a greener future.
Speaking at the event, Plateau state ACReSAL project representatives emphasized the importance of involving young people in environmental conservation, noting that children are not only the future beneficiaries of a healthier planet but also key partners in driving change today. They explained that tree planting helps combat erosion, improve air quality, provide shade, and restore the environment, particularly in areas vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Teachers who attended the celebration praised the initiative, describing it as both educational and inspiring. According to them, the practical exercise gave students the opportunity to learn firsthand about the value of trees and the role they play in sustaining life on earth.
For many of the students, the event was more than just a ceremony — it was a memorable lesson in responsibility. Excitedly holding seedlings and digging into the soil, the children expressed pride in contributing to a cause that could have lasting benefits for their schools and communities.
One student said planting a tree made the message of World Environment Day feel real, adding that it was important for young people to care for the earth now, not later. Another student Sarah , noted that the experience would encourage them to speak to family and friends about the need to protect the environment.
The celebration also reflected ACReSAL’s broader mission of building climate resilience and encouraging sustainable land management across communities. By partnering with schools, the project is helping to instill environmental consciousness at an early age, while also creating visible green spaces that can benefit generations to come.
High point of the event was the planting of trees and a brief engagement and lecture for the students to appreciate the effort of the ACReSAL project in sustainability of climate change actions.
ACReSAL Eco clubs were formed for the students to sustain the initiative beyond the World Environment Day celebration.
