Girl Scouts work to earn BREATHE badge

NORFOLK, Neb. -- A group from the Girl Scouts Troop 50464 helped plant a tree at Skyview Park last week. 

The City of Norfolk said that these Girl Scouts are working towards earning their BREATHE badge, which requires a connection with trees, their production of oxygen, and the ability to isolate pollutants from the air that the population breathes. 

City Arborist Lindsey Kudera said there are countless benefits of trees - not just for humans and animals, but to each other, other plants, and soil microorganisms. 

According to the press release, the Girl Scouts learned about the vital role trees play in the production of oxygen via photosynthesis and the impact trees have on the environment around them. The impacts include air, water, and noise pollution reduction. 

“Per the American Heart & Lung association they learned that the average healthy adult takes about 14 breaths per minute, 840 breaths per hour, approximately 20,000 breaths a day while research data from the USDA suggests that one large deciduous tree, 40’ or taller, can produce enough oxygen to supply the daily oxygen needs of four people,” said Kudera. “This is why they chose to donate and plant one of our hardiest natives, the Kentucky Coffeetree, which can attain heights of 50+ feet.”