Prince of Wales School students help plant 73 trees, creating a living outdoor classroom through storytelling, STEM education and an interactive StoryWalk.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CALGARY, Alberta, October 16, 2026 — At Prince of Wales School, 275 students rolled up their sleeves to bring the Canadian children’s book The Wish Trees to life, helping to plant 73 trees while creating an interactive StoryWalk that transforms their school grounds into a living outdoor classroom.
The interactive book walk was inspired by The Wish Trees: How Planting Trees Can Help Make the World a Better Place. Written by Canadian children’s author and ChariTree Foundation founder Andrea Koehle Jones and illustrated by Alicia Padrón, the project transforms storytelling into real-world environmental action. By combining literacy, STEM education and outdoor learning, the initiative gives children and youth the environmental agency, practical skills and hope to make a positive difference in the world.
“Wish big, little tree planters! Just imagine all the wonderful things your trees will do for our planet as they grow. Most of all, I hope your love for trees, nature and our beautiful Earth grows right alongside them. The world is a better place because of kids like you!” — Andrea Koehle Jones, author of The Wish Trees and Don’t Let Ned Plant a Tree THERE!
Led by Marcia Birkigt and the Friends of Parkland Way Society on behalf of Prince of Wales School, the initiative brought together all 275 students, 22 school staff members and 13 parent and community volunteers.
At a time when more than 1.1 billion children face overlapping climate threats, projects like this connect children’s literature with hands-on environmental stewardship, helping turn climate anxiety into hope and action. Students planted 44 trees, while professional landscapers installed the remaining 29. Each class planted 2-4 trees as a team project.
“The primary objective of this project was to give every child direct, hands-on involvement and a personal sense of ownership over their new outdoor classroom and trees. Each class officially adopted its trees, giving them names and learning about native tree species and how to care for them,” said Marcia Birkigt of the Friends of Parkland Way Society, which led the initiative on behalf of Prince of Wales School.
The Calgary book walk reflects a message Koehle Jones is taking to the international stage: children and youth need more than environmental education; they need meaningful opportunities to participate in the conversations and decisions that shape their future. Having just returned from the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany with her latest children’s book, Don’t Let Ned Plant a Tree THERE!, Koehle Jones is next heading to Türkiye for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) as an advisor to the UNICEF Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education. Through her writing and advocacy, she is championing children’s environmental agency, skills, hope and meaningful participation in climate discussions and decision-making — from schoolyards in Calgary to the global stage.
Watch The Wish Trees Come to Life
See students planting trees, exploring nature and enjoying their outdoor StoryWalk in two videos shared by Prince of Wales School.
- Tree Planting Day: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Def24jsS3rS/
- The Wish Trees StoryWalk: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Def9zvoy5Y7/
With Heartfelt Thanks
With heartfelt thanks to Marcia Birkigt, the Friends of Parkland Way Society, and the wonderful students, teachers, staff and volunteers at Prince of Wales School who helped bring The Wish Trees StoryWalk and tree planting project to life. Your dedication to outdoor learning, environmental stewardship and inspiring the next generation of tree planters is helping grow a future filled with hope, kindness and a deeper love for nature.
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About The Wish Trees
Written by award-winning children’s environmental education advocate Andrea Koehle Jones and illustrated by New York Times bestselling illustrator Alicia Padrón, The Wish Trees: How Planting Trees Can Help Make the World a Better Place encourages children to connect with nature, plant trees, and discover how small acts of kindness toward the Earth can make a lasting difference.
Media Contact
David Jones 778-991-9874
Research & Media Relations | The ChariTree Foundation
Email: david.rm.jones@gmail.com
Website: https://www.charitree-foundation.org
For interviews, photos, media assets or additional information, please contact David Jones.
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Discover The Wish Trees Children’s Book by Andrea Koehle Jones: Buy The Wish Trees on Amazon and help inspire the next generation of young tree planters. 100% of book profits support children’s environmental education and tree planting initiatives through The ChariTree Foundation.
Resources: Teachers and families can access curriculum guides and activities via The ChariTree Foundation Wish Trees Resources.
