Urban Wood Reuse in D.C.
Extending the useful life of our natural resources
Did you know that the Urban Forestry Department (UFD) in Washington D.C. offers schools and parks the opportunity to enjoy a variety of useful products to improve school grounds and parks at no cost? Made from upcycled public trees, these finely crafted benches, stumps, and other seating structures serve as living classrooms and natural storage lockers for carbon, all the while connecting students to the natural resources around them.
So how does this all work? Suitable trees ready for reuse are transported to the UFD sawmill and fashioned into a variety of requested products.
These works of wooden art are then transported to the requesting school or park by UFD staff.
"Some assembly may be required."
The result? Kids and adults learn in a natural space while connecting to their outdoor environments!
"Shaun and the Urban Wood Reuse team have been so helpful to the Mundo Verde community! They have helped us secure materials to keep our environmental education programs moving forward, including wood chips for our community compost program, many tree stumps for our outdoor spaces, and they worked incredibly hard to design and build beautiful, sturdy benches for our garden classroom."
- Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS
Through this program, wood chips are available for garden paths, natural outdoor flooring, or composting.
"Our garden classroom is regularly used for Cooking and Gardening classes and, when not in use, teachers bring their classes outside to spend time in the garden. Families spend a lot of time in this space before and after school, as well. The new elements from Urban Wood Reuse have been well-received by our community and have enhanced our space. We are very grateful for their efforts that directly support our garden hideaway in the middle of the city."
- Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS
To learn more about this amazing program, visit the UFD Urban Wood Reuse Initiative online.
