NILES — Tuesday morning, when students rushed from cars and buses to get to classes, something about Niles High School’s landscape looked a little different.

A flowering dogwood tree marked the south side lawn near the front entrance where there had been only grass before. The tree was planted by students in the Model U.N. Club in honor of Earth Day on Monday.

Niles New Tech freshman Lorrie Corbit, a club member, said the club seeks to better the community through example.

“We are hoping they will see that the club has done something to make a difference and they will strive to do something as well,” Corbit said. “Everybody is being so careless about our environment. One tree can help the environment.”

Students in the Model U.N. Club are involved in a variety of community projects, from giving a fresh coat of paint to fire hydrants to starting a Little Free Library, where children can access free books. The students also compete in mock-style U.N. debates to practice problem-solving global issues. Planting a tree was just another way for students to give back, the club members said.

Students reached out to Fernwood Gardens to partner with them on the project. Fernwood donated the dogwood tree to help. Additionally, Steve Bornell, the manager of Plant Collections at Fernwood, helped to guide students on planting the tree Monday afternoon.

Students’ effort to plant a tree will provide more than shade for the years to come. According to Bornell, the native Dogwood tree provides a place for the blue-colored Spring Azure butterfly to lay its eggs.

Bornell said many urban areas are losing trees or planting fewer to avoid time spent maintaining them, but he said trees are vital to communities.

“We used to plant trees as more of a ceremony around town, but now it’s more so about the environmental message,” Bornell said. “These trees sustain wildlife and have a relationship with native insects, support native birds.”

Students also recognized how trees play an important role in not just beautifying their community, but making it healthier, too.

“Trees play an important role in purifying the air we breathe, providing oxygen and supporting wildlife,” said Sam Knight, a Niles High School sophomore. “Plus, this tree will be around long after we graduate and hopefully many years to come.”

As people across the globe celebrated Earth Day, the students sought to also use the holiday as a platform to raise awareness about the well-being of the planet.

“Today, we are calling on our fellow Niles High School teachers and students and local community members to join us,” said Stuart Lundberg, a freshman at Niles High School. “Plant a tree. Pick up trash in your neighborhood. Recycle or conserve your energy.”