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In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202)-690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. 

New Jersey Tree Foundation Non-Discrimination Statement:

The New Jersey Tree Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and an organization committed to diversity and equity among our staff, board, and partners.  We will not allow for discrimination of any kind, including discrimination based upon age, race, color, size, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin,  gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, disability, veteran’s status, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Our work in Planet Detroit!

Camden, Newark, & Baltimore lead in building equitable access to urban tree canopy

The NJ Tree Foundation is seeking 1-2 Program Assistants for its Renaissance Trees Program. The Program Assistant will work directly with the NJ Tree Foundation’s Program Director to implement community-based tree planting projects in Newark and other cities during the fall of 2021 (October-November). Several plantings will be held on Saturdays. 

The job is part-time at 3-4/hours per planting day, including travel time to the planting site, and will pay $15/hour. The job will start in October and finish in November. Potential total hours for the Fall 2021 season is approximately 25-30 hours.

Job Duties and Responsibilities 

The Program Assistant will be responsible for traveling to and from the site. Work locations will vary throughout Newark and nearby cities, and be provided to the Program Assistant in advance. The primary duties of the Program Assistant is to meet the Program Director at the planting site at 8AM or earlier to assist with offloading and placing trees, assisting with the planting demonstration, and supervising volunteers. The Program Assistant must have their own transportation. Examples of duties in the field include: 

Offloading 12-15’ trees (Up to 600 lbs) 
Digging holes 
Planting trees 
Laying mulch 
Coordinating volunteers 

The Program Assistant will be required to ensure volunteers are following all COVID-19 protocols that the NJ Tree Foundation has implemented to protect staff and volunteers. This includes wearing a mask at all times, practicing social distancing where possible, sanitizing hands, and using clean gloves. The Program Assistant will also be expected to follow these protocols as well, and will assist with distributing masks and gloves, if necessary, and sanitizing tools at the end of the planting. 

Required Skills and Experience 

The NJ Tree Foundation is seeking a hard working and reliable individual that enjoys working outside, coordinating community projects, and can manage volunteers. The applicant must work well with diverse populations, have an interest in tree planting, landscaping, and/or environmental work, and demonstrate a commitment to excellence in all they do. Previous tree planting experience is helpful but not required. 

How to Apply 

Please send a resume to Crystal Wessel via email at cwessel@njtreefoundation.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Questions can be directed to Crystal at (609) 439-1755. 

More about the NJ Tree Foundation 

The NJ Tree Foundation is a state-wide non-profit organization dedicated to planting trees in New Jersey’s most urban communities, where the need is the greatest. Since 2006, the NJ Tree Foundation has been planting trees in the City of Newark through its Renaissance Trees Program. The Program’s mission is two-fold: to improve the environment of inner-city neighborhoods while empowering Newark residents to make positive changes in their own communities. For more information, please visit www.njtrees.org, www.facebook.com/NJTrees, or www.twitter.com/NJTrees.

Looking for a way to dispose of your Christmas tree now that the holidays are over? Many towns and counties will collect the trees if left in front of your house; check with your local municipality to find out if there are specific restrictions or pickup times. Generally, trees collected by municipalities are chipped and then used as mulch where needed. For those of you who do not have access to curbside pickup, you may be able to drop off your tree at a specific location – Ocean County Parks is collecting Christmas trees through January 31st to be chipped and mulched for use throughout the parks. Read on for more ideas on how to dispose of or recycle your tree!

If you’ve noticed small holes in the leaves of your oak tree this season, it may be due to a pest called the Oak Shothole Leafminer (Japanagromyza viridula). While this pest, which is actually a small fly, is native to New Jersey and has natural predators, there are occasionally large outbreaks that can lead to widespread oak tree damage. The fly is becoming more common throughout New Jersey and the New Jersey DEP is currently tracking outbreaks of the pest. What exactly is the Shothole Leafminer, and how does it affect oak trees? Read on to find out!