An unusual subject has found its way into the curriculum of schools in Niger: trees. As municipal authorities across the Sahel country work to adapt to extreme heat and other effects of climate change, the value of urban forestry has gained increased recognition. “This is really an opportunity to combat climate change and poverty at the school level, and at the same time, educate students to understand the importance of trees in cities,” Moussa Soulé, from the University Dan Dicko Dankoulodo in Niger’s second-largest city, Maradi, told Mongabay. Soulé, whose research focuses on climate change and land use, has conducted several studies on trees in Maradi and the capital, Niamey, most recently one on the ecological environment in schoolyards. According to Soulé’s findings, forests in schools have a multitude of positive impacts on learners, including improving air quality, enhancing education, and regulating microclimates. Shaded areas under trees can be used as classrooms, especially where school buildings are overcrowded or under-resourced. “We said let’s go and see what the function of such forested school spaces is and we found, among other things, that they are important to break the heat for the students, because climate change is impacting the quality of education,” said Soulé. The Sahel stretches across West Africa, from Senegal and Gambia to the Central African Republic. This region of grasslands, dryland forests, and desert, is characterized by high temperatures and a long, intense dry season. In recent years, Niger, at the heart of this region, has experienced frequent,…This article was originally published on Mongabay