Lutz Middle School students plant 14 trees at Lake Park as part of a countywide Day of Service
Seventh grade students from Lutz Middle School put civic responsibility into action, planting 14 trees at Lake Park in Lutz as part of Hillsborough County Public Schools' Day of Service. The event brought students outdoors to make a lasting contribution to their community while learning how civic engagement extends beyond the classroom.
Through a partnership between Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation, Conservation & Environmental Lands Management (CELM), and HCPS, students across the school district participated in service projects at four County locations, helping care for public spaces and strengthen their connection to the communities where they live.
At Lake Park, students planted 10 bald cypress trees and four holly trees. Over the years, Lake Park has lost roughly 100 trees, including about 60 cypress trees, because of hurricanes, drought conditions, and insect infestations. The new plantings will help replenish the park's tree canopy and contribute to the health of its natural environment.
For students, the project offered an opportunity to see how even a small group can make a difference in a shared public space. As the trees grow, students can return to Lake Park in the years ahead and see the results of their work.
"It feels very cool because when I'm older, I can come here with my kids and tell them about how I planted the tree," Carson said.
"To me, it feels monumental," Arya said. "It's something that gives back to the earth, helps the park and its people. Hopefully it will stay here for a very long time."
A lesson in civics
The experience also connected classroom lessons about civics to real-world action. Learning about civics helps young people understand their role in their communities, the importance of public resources, and how individuals can contribute to the common good.
By participating in a hands-on service project, students experienced one way to put those lessons into practice by taking responsibility for the places they share with others and helping preserve them for future generations.
"It's like we're planting a legacy," Emalee said. "It feels like we're giving back to the environment in a healthy way."
Brandon Austin, a supervisor at HCPS, says the tree-planting project is about lasting memories and giving students a reason to return to the parks and see the impact of their work.
"A lot of our students have gone to the parks that we visited," Austin said. "When you plant a tree, it's something that's going to last a long time. Hopefully the students will continue to go to the park and continue to visit the trees."
Lake Park was one of four locations across Hillsborough County where students participated in the Day of Service. Other projects included:
- Northdale Recreation Center: Students from Ben Hill Middle School served the community
- Ruskin Recreation Center: Students from York PreK-8 Innovation Academy participated in service activities
- Brandon Recreation Center: Students from Mann Middle School took part in the initiative
The partnership between Hillsborough County and HCPS gives students an opportunity to connect civic education with meaningful community involvement. Whether planting trees, caring for public spaces, or participating in other service activities, students learn that being an engaged community member starts with taking action.
At Lake Park, those lessons will continue long after planting day. As the 14 trees take root and grow, they will serve as a visible reminder of what students can accomplish when they work together to care for their community.