Last updated: March 7, 2023
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Cherry Blossom Protectors
The Education Team of National Mall and Memorial Parks asked Ms. Zoller's fourth grade art students at Arlington Public Schools in Virginia to help us inspire visitors to become Cherry Blossom Protectors with art. We asked the students to showcase the beauty of the cherry trees or the Tidal Basin area with their art work.
The fourth graders were also encouraged to include messages that promoted stewardship and conservation. We asked them to consider including Leave No Trace principles. When visiting the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin, here are some ways that the Leave No Trace principles can be followed:
The fourth graders were also encouraged to include messages that promoted stewardship and conservation. We asked them to consider including Leave No Trace principles. When visiting the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin, here are some ways that the Leave No Trace principles can be followed:
- Leave blossoms, plants or other natural objects where you find them
- Please don't feed wildlife
- Dispose of trash properly
- Stay on sidewalks to avoid walking on tree roots.
NPS/Ms. Zoller's fourth-grade art students from Arlington Public Schools (Virginia)
Cherry Blossom Protector: Beautiful Day
In this image, a person stands next to a large tree with pink blossoms that fill up the scene. Beyond the tree is white building with columns, a dome and a spire. Pink blossoms float in the air and a blue bird flies near one of them. Handwritten across the pink blossoming top of the tree are the words Cherry Blossom Protector. The artist captured the beauty of the cherry blossoms in bloom at sunset.
NPS/Ms. Zoller's fourth-grade art students from Arlington Public Schools (Virginia)
Cherry Blossom Protector: Blue and Green
In this drawing, a branch of a blossoming cherry tree comes into view from the left against a background of blue sky above and green grass below. A bright yellow sun shines above the branch. Handwritten text reminds us to be a Cherry Blossom Protector. As beautiful as the flowers look here, please remember the Leave No Trace principles and don't pick the blossoms!
NPS/Ms. Zoller's fourth-grade art students from Arlington Public Schools (Virginia)
Cherry Blossom Protector: Silhouettes
Two blossoming cherry tree branches cross this scene set against an orange and yellow sky. Below the branches, silhouettes of five children talk, read, dance, and wade into a stream with green grass growing on either side. We're sure that all of the children are following Leave No Trace principles as they play. Block letters above the branches proclaim that we can each be a Cherry Blossom Protector.
Enjoy all of the amazing artwork by clicking on the Photo Gallery below.
It was so hard to choose only three images for the Cherry Blossom Protector buttons.You can view all of the students' designs on display in the NPS Activity Tent during the 2023 Cherry Blossom Festival.
We are honored to showcase the incredible artwork of these young stewards of the cherry trees.