Greening New Jersey, one tree at a time.
When the NJ Tree Foundation plans for a tree planting event, concrete removal is a critical part of the project. Along portions of the Circuit Trail in Camden, areas with large sidewalks are prioritized as prime locations for street trees. Opening up the sidewalk to make space for a tree improves the health of the local watershed and the greater community.
Read moreThe NJ Tree Foundation worked hard this spring to plant trees in Camden, Newark, and North Jersey. On April 13th, 2019, we celebrated a large milestone for Camden. Together with volunteers, the NJ Tree Foundation planted our 7,000th tree as part of the Urban Airshed Reforestation Program. Together with residents and volunteers, we planted 16 trees along Waldorf, Highland, Beacon Avenues and Alberta Woods Park.
Read moreAs 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 .
The Masjidun-Nur Islamic Learning Center in the Parkside neighborhood of the City of Camden sits just below the PATCO speedline. On one side of Mechanic Street there are trees which bring shade and beauty to the neighborhood while reducing noise and air pollution from the speedline. On the other side, where the Masjidun-Nur Islamic Learning Center is located, there were few trees, and the street was too hot.
Brother Saleem Muwwakkil had a vision for his Islamic Center. He wanted to plant trees to increase shade and use the trees as an outdoor classroom for their children’s program. This year, Brother Saleem approached the NJ Tree Foundation with an application for trees. His project was one of the first plantings that I took on as the new Program Coordinator for the Urban Airshed Reforestation Program. In the months leading up to the planting, Brother Saleem and I worked together to bring his vision to life. The Center was like a blank canvas! We chose to plant trees of varying heights and types, flowering and non flowering, along the street and inside the Center’s lot.
On October 7th, we had 58 dedicated volunteers from businesses, schools, and fellow nonprofits help plant 23 trees on Mechanic Street. Redbuds, little leaf lindens, and American elms were planted to provide shade and beauty. Brother Saleem is so grateful for his new trees and is eager to see how the trees will look years from now, with “Plenty of shade in the streets.”
Projects such as this are not possible without your support. Please help us continue to plant trees in the City of Camden and other South Jersey cities in need by making a donation to the NJ Tree Foundation today. We thank you for your support if you have already donated this year.
Sincerely,
NJ Tree Foundation
Attention, Camden residents! The NJ Tree Foundation is offering FREE fruit trees to any interested residents in Camden! We are currently offering peaches, pears, plums, and apples (species may change depending on availability of the plants). In order to receive a tree, fill out an application and return to Meredith no later than August 15th. You can email your application to mbrown@njtreefoundation.org, or mail to PO Box 1221, Camden, NJ 08105. You can also call to submit your application at 856-287-4488. After your application is confirmed, you will need to attend a one-hour workshop on Saturday, September 9th. More information about the workshop will be made available closer to September. Hope to see you there!
Fruit Tree Revised Application 2017 (pdf)
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.”
Calling all Camden residents! The NJ Tree Foundation will host its annual TreeKeepers workshop on Saturday, June 17th, at Urban Promise Camden. This workshop will cover the different aspects of tree maintenance and care. This will include both an outdoor and an indoor session. Educational materials and light refreshments are included.
When: Saturday, June 17th, from 9:30am-1pm
Where: Urban Promise (the spirit building-27 N 36th St, Camden (2nd floor).
Space is limited, so please RSVP today! The first 30 people to sign up and attend will receive $50 worth of tools for FREE!
For more information or to register, please contact Meredith at 856-287-4488 or mbrown@njtreefoundation.org.
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
