Have you done something meaningful for the environment on Earth Day? The Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) students took action through interactive activities.
Tree planting has been a common activity to show love for nature. Atrisco Heritage Academy High School celebrated Earth Day by participating in the inaugural Sapling Summit 2026. The collaborative community initiative brought students, staff, and local partners together to make a lasting impact on campus.
Abeyta’s Nursery led the Sapling Summit in partnership with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department and Atrisco Heritage Academy. Participants planted more than 20 trees across the school grounds, gaining hands-on experience in environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Family Community Liaison Specialist Priscilla Valdez coordinated the event at AHA. AHA Family Center interns organized and assisted throughout the event, working closely with students to encourage participation. AHA cheerleaders also joined the effort, building excitement and school spirit while supporting the event.
Students worked side-by-side with deputies from BCSO and community partners. They reinforced the importance of teamwork, civic engagement, and community pride.
AHA creates opportunities for students to gain real-world experiences that build responsibility, teamwork, and pride in their school community.
Additional Earth Day Learning Activities
At Dolores Gonzales Elementary, students celebrated Earth Day with hands-on activities. They explored sustainability, agriculture, and environmental care.
The school partnered with Bernalillo County Solid Waste Services, Bernalillo County 4-H, New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom, and the ABQ BioPark. Together, they created an engaging Earth Day experience for students.
All day long, students learned about the power of healthy soil and the essential elements of agriculture. They also discovered the joys and responsibilities of raising animals. Community partners delivered interactive lessons helping students better understand where food comes from and how land care supports healthy communities.
Students also stepped outside the classroom to participate in a campus cleanup. They took pride in caring for their school environment.
Every student planted a seed and gained knowledge needed to help it grow as Earth Day ended. The experience reinforced the importance of sustainability, stewardship, and food sovereignty. It also showed students how small actions can make a big difference for the planet.