The Schools Are Forests Tool
A browser-based field app for turning any school campus into a living tree inventory β no installation needed, works on any phone or tablet.
How it works
Three simple steps β from setup to a live tree map.
Teacher sets up
Create an account, add your school, define zones, and start a session. Students get a 6-character code.
Students measure
Students go outside, enter the code, and follow the guided wizard: photos, species, height, trunk diameter β tree by tree.
Data lives on the map
Every tree appears on the school map the moment it's submitted. Teachers review and validate from the dashboard.
What students actually learn
A tree inventory is more than ecology β it's a hands-on lesson in several disciplines at once.
Trigonometry
Students use a protractor clinometer to measure the angle to the treetop, then apply trigonometry (tan) to calculate the real height β putting right triangles to work in the real world.
Math
Measuring trunk circumference and converting it to diameter gives students a concrete reason to care about pi and unit conversions. (D = C Γ· Ο)
Species identification
Students observe leaves, bark, shape, and fruit to identify the trees around them β building nature literacy on their own campus.
Teamwork
Each group divides roles β measurer, recorder, photographer, navigator β and has to coordinate to cover their zone efficiently.
Scientific method
Students collect standardized field data, learn why consistency matters, and see how individual measurements combine into a dataset.
Environmental awareness
Mapping the school's trees makes students think about urban green space, biodiversity, and their own campus as a living ecosystem.
Teacher Guide
Everything you need to run a tree inventory session with your class.
Create your teacher account
Create your teacher account β Go to Teacher Login and register with your email. After filling in your profile and school details, your account is reviewed by our team β you'll be approved within 24 hours.
Define your zones
Zones are sections of your school grounds β think of them as areas you'll assign to different student groups. Each zone gets a letter (A, B, Cβ¦) and a location category (Playground, Garden, Front yard, etc.).
Start a session
From your dashboard, click Start Session. You'll get a 6-character code. Share it verbally, write it on the board, or print it. Students go to schoolsareforests.org/student and enter it. Sessions last 3 hours.
Monitor & validate
Watch progress in real time from your dashboard. Once all trees are recorded, you can validate each submission β checking photo quality, species ID, and measurements. Validated trees are published to the public school map.
What you'll need
Simple materials β most schools already have them.
Measuring tape
A standard tape measure works for trunk circumference and crown diameter. A diameter tape (reads diameter directly) is ideal but not required β the app converts automatically.
Phone or tablet (any)
Any browser works β Chrome, Safari, Firefox. No app to install. One device per group of 2β4 students is enough.
Printed field sheets optional
No internet at your school? Students can record measurements on paper first, then enter the data later. Download the printable sheet below.
No internet? No problem.
Download and print the field data sheet before heading outside. Students fill it in by hand, and you enter the data later when back online. The sheet includes all measurement fields plus instructions for building the protractor clinometer.
Ready to start?
Teachers set up the school. Students go outside. Trees end up on the map.