GET INVOLVED :: Trees for Survival
Apply to become a TFS School - How can you help? - Become a Supporter - Become a Member - Join the TFS Team
Apply to become a TFS School
Primary, Intermediate and Secondary schools are eligible to join the TFS programme. The first step is to complete the TFS School Application Form. If you need help contact the National Coordinator.
When the completed Application Form is received TFS will make contact with the School and begin the process of setting up the programme within the School. It may take up to 6 months from the initial application to have a Plant Growing Unit installed and processes in place to begin the programme.
How can you help?
TFS is a partnership and in addition to TFS Schools there are other ways to become involved.
- Become a Programme Sponsor - more sponsors means the programme can be expanded and more resources provided nationwide. Our major Programme Sponsors are Rotary (NZ), Yates, Regency Duty Free, Multistrut and GS Shapland Ltd. Business entities can support TFS to ensure trees are planted to protect our environment.
- Support a School by becoming a Unit Sponsor and fund the purchase of a Plant Growing Unit (PGU).
- Be a Supporting Organisation – Service and Community groups such as Rotary as well as local businesses fund the TFS programme in local schools by covering the initial set-up costs and the ongoing annual cost of providing seedlings and supplies to maintain the School’s PGU. This provides school pupils with a practical environmental education and communities work together to improve the environment.
- Landowners have an opportunity to keep ‘at risk’ land in control and restore eroded land, improve stream and water quality as well as providing habitats for the spread of our native flora and fauna. Landowners with threatened land can contact the TFS National Coordinator to make enquiries on what steps they need to take to obtain TFS assistance.
- Regional Councils – play a vital part in the programme working with partners in the local community to improve the environment. Not all Regional Councils are partners in the TFS programme but we have developed beneficial working relationships with Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Horizons, Taranaki, Greater Wellington and Tasman Councils.
- Field Officers – are liaison people who help schools with the TFS programme. Anyone interested in assisting in this way should contact the National Coordinator.
- Become a TFS Friend - there are many categories of membership recognised but members of the public or others already involved in the programme can become a TFS Friend as a Major Donor ($250 or more) or as an Annual Donor (An annual donation of $10 or more).
Donors who contribute will be issued with a receipt.
Become a Supporter
Each School participating in the TFS programme has a Supporting Organisation (SO) associated with it. This may be a Rotary or other service club, a local organisation or a business enterprise. The SO generally appoints one person who is the liaison person coordinating with the school. With the help of the SO, the liaison person undertakes the following activities:
- Working to raise the initial funds ($4,000 - varies with freight) to cover the set-up cost of the Plant Growing Unit (PGU) and arranging the annual payment to TFS for all seedlings and supplies ($500 +GST). Together with 1000 seedlings each year the annual payment includes potting-mix, root trainers, wire baskets and fertiliser. Where vandalism is a problem the SO may work with the school to provide fencing or other forms of security and help with repairs and maintenance of the unit.
We strongly suggest that SO’s find a Unit Sponsor (DIY outlet, Nursery, or any business with an interest in the environment) who may wish to fund one or both of the set-up costs or the on-going yearly costs of this program. Advertising on the PGU and in School Newsletters, Website etc can be offered in return for this funding support. - Keeping in touch with the School TFS Coordinator and providing support. This might be helping out with the watering programme during holidays or providing assistance at pricking-out and potting-on time.
- Coordinating transport to planting day with the School. If a bus is to be used, an arrangement between the school and the SO to cover the cost needs to be achieved.
- Ensuring members of the SO and Unit Sponsors are aware of milestones in the programme and when Planting Day is. Representatives of the SO need to attend the Planting Day to support the school community in ensuring that there is a ratio of one adult to five students.
- Work with the students, helping them plant the trees correctly and making sure they stay on task and have an enjoyable learning experience.
Any Community Group which would like to completely or partially support their local school to become a TFS school should contact the National Coordinator.
TFS membership
Trees for Survival members all receive the quarterly TFS Newsletter and are entitled to access the secure components of the TFS website.
Membership categories are (click on category to make an enquiry)
Join the TFS team
There are opportunities for people to join the TFS team either as a volunteer or as part of the management crew. You can enquire about positions available by emailing the National Coordinator.
