Albuquerque Public Schools
Atrisco Heritage Students Plant Trees for Earth Day
First Sapling Summit brings students, community partners and deputies together to plant more than 20 trees on campus.
Atrisco Heritage Academy High School proudly celebrated Earth Day by participating in the inaugural Sapling Summit 2026, a collaborative community initiative that brought students, staff, and local partners together to make a lasting impact on campus.
The Sapling Summit was led by Abeyta’s Nursery, whose expertise, leadership and dedication made this event possible. In partnership with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department and Atrisco Heritage Academy, more than 20 trees were successfully planted across the school grounds. Their guidance provided students with a meaningful, hands-on learning experience focused on environmental stewardship and community engagement.
At AHA, the event was coordinated by Family Community Liaison Specialist Priscilla Valdez, who supported planning efforts and helped bring together students, staff and partners. The AHA Family Center interns played a key role in organizing and assisting throughout the event, working closely with students to encourage participation. AHA cheerleaders also joined in, helping build excitement and school spirit while contributing to the effort.
Students had the opportunity to work side-by-side with deputies from BCSO and community partners, reinforcing the importance of teamwork, civic engagement and community pride.
A special thank you to Abeyta’s Nursery for leading the inaugural Sapling Summit and for their continued dedication to supporting our school community. We also extend our appreciation to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department for their partnership and support.
A huge thank you to all Atrisco Heritage Academy staff, especially our incredible custodial team whose hard work, preparation and support helped make this event run smoothly. Their efforts behind the scenes were essential to the day's success.
Through partnerships like these, Atrisco Heritage Academy continues to create opportunities for students to engage in real-world experiences that promote responsibility, teamwork and pride in their school community.
About APS Community Schools
With almost 70 Community Schools across the district, APS and the ABC Community School Partnership are building a network of schools that serve as community hubs. By weaving together rigorous classroom instruction, expanded learning opportunities, integrated support systems, and the voices of families and students in decision-making, these schools create conditions where every child can learn, grow and thrive.