On Arbor Day, the Build-A-Business Club at Sinsheimer Elementary School in San Luis Obispo teamed up with Junk Girls, a local business, and ECOSLO, the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo to plant three trees at Sinsheimer Park. This experience was significant for the students as they were able to see the tangible results of their hard work and fundraising efforts.

Fifth-grader Genevieve Palazzo expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with Junk Girls and ECOSLO, stating that it was heartwarming to witness their dedication to environmental conservation and supporting students’ entrepreneurial aspirations. Similarly, Sophia Bastidas echoed Genevieve’s sentiments, highlighting the remarkable collaboration between Junk Girls and ECOSLO and the positive impact their tree planting project would have on the community.

According to Grant Helete, program coordinator at ECOSLO, this partnership aligns with their Urban Tree Planning “Keys for Trees” program, which aims to promote carbon neutrality by 2035 in line with San Luis Obispo’s goals. This project not only taught students valuable business skills but also instilled in them a sense of environmental responsibility and community involvement.