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In Camden, Gloucester City, and Newark, the NJ Tree Foundation is accepting applications from planting partners who want 12-15′ tall trees for their residential streets, school yards, parks, or open spaces this spring. Supply is limited, and we recommend applying by February 3rd to receive priority. You could be our next community project!

“Working with the NJ Tree Foundation was incredible. Not only did I get trees for the front of my home, but most of my neighbors got involved and planted trees too. The entire process introduced me to people in my own community
and made me feel really proud to be a part of something exciting happening where I live,” explained Kathy of East Camden after her 2011 tree planting.

Open Applications Include:
Newark Application 
Camden and Gloucester City Application
Camden Fruit Tree Application (Gardeners Only)

If you have questions or want to discuss your project before applying, please reach out to Jessica (for Camden and Gloucester City) or Elena (for Newark). Jessica can be reached at jfranzini@njtreefoundation.org or (856) 287-4488 and Elena can be reached at elopez@njtreefoundation.org or (609) 439-1755.

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at the NJ Tree Foundation! We are thankful for more than 1,000 new trees we planted in 2016, all the volunteers and generous donors who helped us plant those trees, and the very happy memories that were made in the process! Our tree recipients are incredibly thankful too, including these cute 5th graders from the Evergreen School in Plainfield where we planted 15 trees in October.

Our Green Streets Crew created a wildlife & vegetable garden for the residents of Broadway House, Newark, NJ. Eleven new trees will be planted this fall to screen the garden area from the street. Check out page 3 of the Broadway House Newsletter

Broadway House Newsletter – SUMMER 2016

Date: May 19, 2016 at 10:30AM in our Grove of Remembrance, Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ

More than 40 ash trees overlooking the Statue of Liberty will receive environmentally sound, trunk injection treatments against the highly destructive and invasive Emerald Ash Borer, currently threatening the New Jersey’s ash trees. Media, residents and local arborists are invited to attend and watch a demonstration of the treatment process, learn more about the options available to both homeowners and municipalities which can save their ash trees, and observe the beauty and value these trees bring to the city, its parks, and neighborhoods.

Arborjet has donated these treatments with Almstead Tree & Shrub Care Company providing the labor at no cost to protect 41 stately ash trees in our Grove of Remembrance, New Jersey’s Living Memorial to the state’s victims of the September 11^th attacks.

April 18, 2016 – Camden, New Jersey – The NJ Tree Foundation’s Urban Airshed Reforestation Program just hit a milestone in Camden this spring: planting its 6,000th tree. The nonprofit organization began planting trees with help from Camden residents in 2002. The NJ Tree Foundation were joined by Camden Mayor Dana Redd and local partners to celebrate the planting of 6,000th tree on Saturday April 16th. Mayor Redd presented the NJ Tree Foundation with a Proclamation honoring the milestone.

“We are thrilled to plant our 6,000th tree in Camden,” explains Jessica Franzini, NJ Tree Foundation Program Director. “We have seen Camden streets transform as we planted trees. The neighbors come together to plant, they take care of the trees together, and then enjoy the beauty that is brought to their house by the trees.”

Saturday’s event planted 30 large trees (each over 10 feet tall) along N. 36th Street to compliment the regional Circuit Trails. The planting was organized by the NJ Tree Foundation in partnership with the students and staff at Urban Promise Academy. Camden residents and community organizations will adopt and care for the cherry blossoms, black gums, and tree lilacs. Volunteers dug holes and planted trees from 9am-12pm. There was also a pop-up bike clinic taking place during the event with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, promoting use of the Circuit Trails.

The NJ Tree Foundation has funding from the William Penn Foundation to beautify the Circuit Trails with hundreds of trees and shrubs over the course of two years. The Circuit is a network of bicycle and pedestrian trails connecting people to jobs, communities, and parks in the Greater Philadelphia Region. When completed, the Circuit will have approximately 750 miles of trail, with 50% of the region’s population living within one mile of the trail network. 300 miles of trail are open for use today, several of which run through Camden, providing a connection to the waterfront and beyond.

As of Saturday, more than 6,000 trees have been planted in Camden since 2002, but the NJ Tree Foundation says there is still more to be done. “Camden’s tree canopy remains lower than what is recommended for a healthy city. Trees remove pollutants from the air and groundwater, so tree canopy coverage helps improve the health of local residents,” Franzini added, “We estimate it will take thousands more trees to reach Camden’s tree canopy goal of 25%, but we know we are making a difference with every tree we plant. The residents certainly agree.”

 Check out photos of the event, taken by The Darling Light Photography.

Jessica of the NJTF with Mayor Redd and Councilman Fuentes, Camden

NJ Tree Foundation Senior Program Director Jessica Franzini spoke with Jill Horner of Comcast Newsmakers on March 16, 2016. They talked about our exciting spring projects in Camden including a fruit tree giveaway and beautifying the Circuit Trail Network, as well as our role maintaining Camden’s urban forest. Please enjoy the video!

Our Green Streets program hires ex-offenders to plant trees across New Jersey. The Crew learn skills that will help them obtain and maintain employment, reducing their chances of going back to prison.

Ishmell’s story: “Working with the Tree Foundation was a very good learning experience. I learned things that will stay with me throughout my life. Trees are a very important part of the environment. I loved meeting new people and learning that so many are willing to plant and save trees. This experience is something I will never forget. My eyes will forever be open.”

Ishmell wasn’t the only Crew member who had a great season. Danny, who worked for Green Streets for two seasons, said, “I was really motivated seeing the hundreds of trees we planted last year looking good and healthy. I felt love from people who were happy to see us in their communities planting more trees.”

Men in this program are shown love and respect and taught skills that can lead to a promising career that will help them achieve a higher standard of living. Green Streets provides this for men who need it most, giving them hope for a better life.

We are hours away from December 31st and meeting our goal of raising $10,000. Please make a contribution today so we can continue to inspire hope through trees in 2016. Thank you to everyone who has already donated! Happiest New Year wishes to all.