Education and Outreach

Visuals of our staff out teaching programs

School Programs

2026-2027 School Year Programming - COMING SOON

We appreciate the continued support from Gaston County Schools and extend a special thank you to the school staff for approving our program materials for use in the classroom.

We offer a variety of FREE educational programs designed for public, private, charter, and homeschool groups. Each program is tailored for a single classroom presentation and covers engaging, standards-aligned content.

To register your class or grade level, please click on the Request form below. Once your registration is submitted, a staff member assigned to your school will contact you to confirm your date and finalize the details. For more information on any of our programs you can reach out to keepgastoniabeautifulnc@gmail.com and the staff person assigned to your school will contact you.

Each program is best suited for individual classrooms.

Chronolog

Hudson Boulevard Tree Project

Logo for NC Forest Service

Hudson Boulevard Tree Maintenance and Planting Project

The City of Gastonia has been awarded funding through the North Carolina Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program to improve the health, safety, and long-term sustainability of trees along Hudson Boulevard. Hudson Boulevard is one of Gastonia's primary transportation corridors, carrying thousands of vehicles each day and serves as an important gateway into the community. Over time, aging trees, storm damage, and vehicle impacts have resulted in dead and declining trees, hazardous limbs, remaining stumps, and noticeable gaps in the tree canopy. The Hudson Boulevard Tree Maintenance and Planting Project will include a comprehensive tree inventory and assessment, removal of dead and hazardous trees, stump grinding, soil remediation, and replanting with appropriate tree species selected for long-term success in the corridor environment. The project will also include the development of tree maintenance, planting, and post-planting care plans to help ensure the continued health of the corridor's urban forest.

In addition to improving safety and appearance, healthy trees provide numerous benefits to the community, including shade, stormwater management, improved air quality, wildlife habitat, and enhanced neighborhood character. The project is expected to begin following final grant approval and funding authorization in July 2026. Work will occur in phases and is anticipated to continue through June 2028. Throughout the project, the City will provide opportunities for public engagement, including project updates, educational materials, Tree Commission discussions, and a community survey to gather input on corridor improvements.

Project Goals

Improve safety by removing dead, damaged, and hazardous trees.
Restore and enhance the tree canopy along Hudson Boulevard.
Improve the appearance of a major gateway corridor.
Increase the long-term health and resilience of the City's urban forest.
Educate and engage residents in the value of urban trees and sustainable corridor management.

Get Involved

Residents will have opportunities to learn about the project, provide feedback through a public survey, and follow project progress through the City's website, social media channels, and Tree Commission meetings.