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Tree Trackers

Activity

Discovering Native Species

Go on a tree scavenger hunt! Can you find a Live Oak, Pecan Tree, Texas Red Oak, or a Cedar Elm? What makes these trees unique and identifiable?
Clima 2 (2)
Clima 2
Clima 2 (3)

Science Seed

Trees play a vital role in combating climate change by improving air quality, regulating temperatures, and supporting local ecosystems. The trees around Sanchez Elementary, like the Live Oak, Pecan Tree, Texas Red Oak, and Cedar Elm, are especially important in urban climates. Their shade helps reduce the “urban heat island” effect, keeping paved areas cooler and more comfortable. Trees also release water vapor through their leaves, increasing humidity and rainfall while reducing heat. Each tree has unique features that help it adapt to the local climate, like the Live Oak’s dense canopy that provides shade year-round or the Pecan Tree’s water-conserving leaves.
botany jar illustration

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore Sanchez Elementary

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

Sánchez Elementary School is close to downtown on Austin’s east side. Built in 1976, the campus boasts murals by Raul Valdez depicting the school’s Hispanic history and heritage. Sánchez was one of the district’s first to introduce two-way dual language education- fitting because the school’s namesake, George Sánchez, was a pioneer in bilingual education. This project was made possible by HEB.

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