In an extraordinary event, NASA's Artemis I mission brought lunar seeds to Earth, and two elementary schools in the United States received the unique opportunity to plant them. Tamarack Elementary School in Hillsboro, Oregon, and White Oak High School in North Carolina were chosen as recipients of these 'Moon Trees'. The seeds had traveled 270,000 miles from Earth during their journey around the moon.
At Tamarack Elementary School in Hillsboro, students planted a tree grown from lunar seeds on April 26, 2024. This event marked the continuation of a tradition that began back in 1971 when seeds carried on Apollo 14 were planted throughout the country.
Meanwhile, White Oak High School in North Carolina received their Moon Tree seedling from NASA astronaut Christina Koch during a tree dedication ceremony at the Governor's Mansion on April 24. The school was honored by this recognition as one of many Moon Tree recipients.
NASA carefully selected organizations across the United States to receive these 'Moon Trees' for planting in their communities, with a focus on educational opportunities and suitability to care for the various tree species. The Artemis I mission brought seeds of sycamores, sweetgums, Douglas firs, loblolly pines, and giant sequoias around the moon's surface.
The Moon Trees are an extension of the legacy of the original Moon Trees that were flown by NASA astronaut Stuart Roosa during Apollo 14. These trees have been cared for by the USDA Forest Service since their return to Earth, and they will now be planted in communities across America as a symbol of exploration and inspiration.
