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.”