Over 6,000 trees were planted by the Lake Nona community to celebrate each student, along with celebrating both Earth and Arbor Day.

The slash pine tree seedlings were donated by Hathaway’s Tree Farm & Landscaping and were available through the Florida Forest Service seedling program to celebrate the accomplishments of the four Orange County Public schools within Lake Nona. The tree planting idea came in time for the 50th celebration of Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 24. 

Arbor Day is typically celebrated by planting trees, so along with Lake Nona leadership, local landscape partners – CEPRA Landscape, Down to Earth, and Landcare Group – helped plant the 6,000 small seedlings. 

Students, families and community residents can see the newly planted trees along Lake Nona’s 40 miles of trails, numerous lakes, and winding waterways to further enhance the green space. 

Lake Nona’s horticultural team is set to take care of the seedlings to ensure they grow properly among the regular planting of shrubs, wildflowers and more trees throughout our 17-square-mile community during the rest of the year. 

This new project to beautify and increase planting throughout Lake Nona contributes to the community’s environmental responsibility initiative. With the preservation of over 40% of Lake Nona’s land as green space, autonomous shuttle service, piloted new energy-saving programs, smart window technology, electric vehicle charging stations as well as encouraging green building principles for residential, office, and commercial projects, this planting of trees for students comes as a natural step in the growth of the community.