Jonesboro residents will see a new timeline for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) program, as the agency announced Tuesday that both the application window and planting ceremonies for the 2026‑2027 school year will move from fall to spring. The shift means local schools can look forward to shade‑tree installations during the 2027 spring planting season, a change that could improve outdoor learning spaces and reduce children’s exposure to direct sunlight.
According to Jonesboro Right Now, the department will host a mandatory virtual statewide workshop on Dec. 3. The session is open to all Arkansas schools, playgrounds, and educational facilities, and attendance is required for any school that wishes to apply for STOP funding in the 2026‑2027 cycle. Participants will receive a free three‑gallon potted tree and instruction on the environmental, educational, and health benefits of shade trees, as well as guidance on selecting appropriate native species for their sites.
Registration for the Dec. 3 workshop is available through the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s website. After completing the workshop, schools can submit applications when the full application period opens in January 2027. Selected schools will be eligible to receive up to five Arkansas‑native shade trees, planting materials, educational resources, and on‑site assistance for planting ceremonies scheduled for spring 2027.
Since its inception, the STOP program has engaged more than 235 schools across Arkansas, aiming to lower long‑term skin‑cancer risks, reduce childhood exposure to direct sunlight, and expand outdoor educational opportunities. For Jonesboro families, the program promises cooler playgrounds, healthier play environments, and additional hands‑on learning experiences tied to local ecology.
What’s next: Jonesboro schools interested in participating should register for the Dec. 3 virtual workshop, prepare to apply when the portal opens in January 2027, and anticipate planting events in the spring of that year.
Sources: jonesbororightnow.com
