Adam Gerard is going green with Tree Musketeers

By Carly Montan
Staff Writer

Freshman Adam Gerard is saving the world, one tree at a time, with the help of environmental organization Tree Musketeers.

Gerard has been given the oppourtunity to become a leader in the organization. As the president of Tree Musketeers he not only plants trees but empowers other youths to help and protect the environment.

Tree Musketeers (which was founded in 1987 by a girl scout troop) is the country’s first youthled environmental organization. Since then, the organization has received awards from former presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton for its work in environmental conservation.

“I think it’s cool that the Tree Musketeers is led by kids because it helps them become leaders and improves their leadership skills,” junior and Tree Musketeers volunteer Riley Thomasson said.

The organization has several you\ng members on Manhattan Beach’s board of directors. Gerard is Tree Musketeers’ youth leading officer, so he is always in contact with the board. As leading officer, Gerard reads over the board’s monetary statements to keep their finances stable, especially in today’s economy. He also has a voice in the hiring of the board’s paid staff.

“Tree Musketeers has really shown me what career path I would like to follow in the future,” Gerard said.

Gerard has been involved in Tree Musketeers for six years. He became interested in the organization when he was on a field trip with his Hebrew school. Within the next two years Gerard met with the head of the Environmental Appropriations Committee in Congress and has received $200,000 from Washington for Tree Musketeers.

“They have given me the chance to meet local politicians. It benefits me because I want to be involved in public service as an adult,” Gerard said.

Many of the trees the organization donates and plants are located in barren areas around El Segundo, as well as in many parks. One of its upcoming tree-planting events will take place over Arbor Day weekend. In three hours the organization’s volunteers will attempt to plant 150 trees, making this its biggest planting so far.

“I think that the Arbor Day Tree planting is a very good event because it unifies the community while beautifying El Segundo and freshening our air in the process,” freshman and Tree Musketeers volunteer Jason Kim said.

Gerard was able to become president of the organization by exhibiting key leadership skills. Gerard became part of the Youth Management Team, and the leadership later promoted him to the board of directors.

Three years ago, the board elected Geradard president of Tree Musketeers. As a leading officer, Gerard receives a $1,000 scholarship each year.

“Tree Musketeers has given me and other youth the chance to excel at their leadership skills in a way that they wouldn’t have anywhere else,” Gerard said.

The organization welcomes student volunteers in need of volunteering hours or students and activists who are just looking for a way to give back to their community. For more information on how to get involved with Tree Musketeers as Gerard has, visit treemusketeers.org or call executive director Gail Church at 310-322-0263.

“I enjoy volunteering because I can help the environment while having a good time and being with my friends,” Kim said.