Greening New Jersey, one tree at a time.
As we continue to celebrate our 20 years of planting trees, we’d like to highlight some notable plantings from the past two decades. Watch as Christoff Lindsey, long-time supporter of the NJ Tree Foundation, recalls his first planting experience on his Camden block in 2007, and his experiences since then.
As we celebrate our 20 year anniversary, we’ll be sharing videos about our history and successful programs. The NJ Tree Foundation’s first program was called Celebrate Arbor Day. Learn more about it in this video created by Better World Photography. Make sure to share your tree stories with us! #NJTrees20
2018 marks a big year in the NJ Tree Foundation’s calendar; we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary throughout the year! To commemorate 20 years of planting trees, we will be sharing videos throughout the year highlighting our successes. Help join us in the celebration by posting your tree story on social media with the hashtag #NJTrees20 .
What a year at the NJ Tree Foundation! Here are highlights from our 2017 accomplishments, including the planting of 3,664 trees thanks to the help of over 1,300 volunteers. Thank you for being a part of our success! We are looking forward to partnering with you in 2018. If you love these photos and want to contribute to our success in 2018, please donate. Happy New Year, tree family! Read more
Another great season under our belts at the NJ Tree Foundation!
This spring, the NJ Tree Foundation planted 714 trees through our various programs. Here’s a quick recap of our programs from the season:
Green Streets
The Green Streets Program planted 435 trees in eleven towns, and created one demonstration rain garden at City Hall in Jersey City. Over the summer months the Green Streets crew is weeding and mulching 14 rain gardens and green infrastructure projects in Camden, while maintaining our 9/11 Memorial in Liberty State Park. Other summer projects include a second rain garden in Jersey City, a watering contract, and tree pit maintenance in various cities.
Urban Airshed Reforestation Program
Throughout April and May, 138 trees were planted in Camden and Gloucester City through the help of 215 volunteers. 208 square feet of concrete was removed to make way for the new trees!
Spotlight project: The site of the old Riverfront State Prison is now Coopers Poynt Waterfront Park. It is a beautiful site, with a playground, walking trail, and a scenic view of the Delaware river and Philadelphia. On May 4th, 38 volunteers from Campbell’s Soup planted 45 trees to help kick off the event. The trees line the walking trails and along the river, as well as the playground. On Saturday, May 6th, the Jean Kehner Community planting was held. This event will help to finish planting the 89 total trees at the park, as well as celebrate Jean Kehner, a long time community activist in North Camden. 84 volunteers participated in the event. We had an opening ceremony for Jean, where Camden City councilmembers and community leaders spoke and thanked Jean for her service. The NJ Tree Foundation was also honored, with a proclamation from the City of Camden. What a fantastic finish to a great spring planting season!
Renaissance Trees Program
141 trees were planted with the Renaissance Trees Program through Newark and Paterson thanks to help from 475 volunteers.
Spotlight Project: On Saturday April 8, 45 volunteers joined forces to plant 15 trees in Paterson’s Westside Park, surrounding the JFK Spirit garden, made possible thanks to a grant from Valley National Bank. Valley National Bank employees, students from JFK High School’s Green Club, and a local Boy Scout Troop planted the trees with the NJ Tree Foundation. The red oak, red maple, redbud, and white pine trees transformed a once open space connecting JFK High School Complex to their Spirit Garden. Jerry Flach from Valley National Bank summarized the day very well. “Valley National Bank sponsored this program today and it’s a real team effort and a community project. We’re thrilled to see everyone come together today to help our community, help green insfrustruce, provide shade, and beautify our schools and parks in Paterson.”
ATTENTION Newark residents! On June 10, the NJ Tree Foundation will conduct our TreeKeeper Workshop in Newark, teaching about young tree care. This workshop will include an indoor classroom session and an outdoor hands on component.
June 10, 9:30 AM – 12:30PM
Hosted at Unified Vailsburg Services Organization:
462 Sanford Ave, Newark NJ
At the TreeKeepers training, you will receive FREE educational materials, tools, breakfast, and light refreshments.
The first 30 people who register and attend the event will receive over $50 worth of tools and educational materials!
SPACE IS LIMITED: you must RSVP to attend. To register, contact Elena López at elopez@njtreefoundation.org or (609) 439 – 1755.
This week, we had a new addition to our NJ Tree Foundation family! Meredith Brown is our new Urban Airshed Reforestation Program Coordinator. She will focus on our volunteer-based tree planting events in the Camden/ South Jersey area. Meredith joins us with years of experience in environmental nonprofit work and is incredibly enthusiastic about joining our tree-planting clan. Read more
I first met the residents of Montrose Street in Newark (pictured above) in June 2016. Before Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, they had magnificent 100-year-old oaks lining their street. After the storms, they lost all but three of their beloved trees. They told me the summers were significantly hotter without shade. The peaceful aura of nature was lost. The void left behind was evident.
The Montrose Street residents were overjoyed to begin working with the NJ Tree Foundation’s Renaissance Trees Program, which helps city residents like them plant trees to improve their environment and quality of life. I worked with the Montrose Street neighbors for months to plan their tree planting event.
On November 5th, each and every resident on Montrose Street helped plant 29 trees, with every single eligible household accepting one or two trees in front of their home! “Montrose Street was blessed with a fabulous tree planting day. We planted 29 trees and we are ready to do it again,” exclaimed Yvonne, who received two trees and helped organize the planting. She continued, “It was truly phenomenal. It really united our block under something positive.”
Together, we planted beautiful ornamental cherries and Shantung maple trees that will grow along with the children and families of Montrose Street. The trees are being enjoyed today and will be enjoyed for generations to come.
Please make a contribution to the NJ Tree Foundation so we may continue to reforest New Jersey cities and replace what has been lost in devastating storms. Your support is greatly appreciated by the NJ Tree Foundation and New Jersey residents like those of Montrose Street, who truly adore their new trees.
Thank you,
Elena, Renaissance Trees Program Director
Join the NJ Tree Foundation this June for our Newark TreeKeepers Workshops! These classroom sessions are a series of 3 workshops and hands-on trainings that will teach you how to maintain and enhance the health of your community’s trees.
SPACE IS LIMITED: while FREE to Newark residents, you must RSVP to participate. Please register for each session you will attend. Attend all three sessions to become a Certified Newark Treekeeper!
To RSVP or for more information, please contact our Newark Director, Elena López:(609) 439 -1755 or elopez@njtreefoundation.org.
All sessions will be held at the Weequahic Park Fieldhouse: 92 Carmichael Dr, Newark NJ
Tuesday June 7 6:00- 8:00 PM
Session 1: Basic Tree Biology and Tree Identification
Tuesday June 14 6:00-8:00 PM
Session 2: Tree Planting, Pruning and Maintenance
Tuesday June 21 6:00-8:00 PM
Session 3: Trees and Your Watershed
Newark residents attend at no charge. Non-Newark residents pay $20/session. All attendees receive free tools, educational materials, and dinner at each workshop. 2 CEUs are earned per session, which can be applied toward your state approved Community Forestry Management Plan requirements.
These workshops are made possible thanks to the Watershed Institute in Pennington NJ.