Volunteer
Donate
Hire Us!

Why Plant Trees?

Trees bring life and beauty to an area, while also providing countless benefits. We aim to create a more equitable tree canopy allowing more people to enjoy the many benefits of trees.

The Benefits of Urban Trees

Environmental Benefits

Urban trees improve air quality, regulate climate, manage stormwater, sequester carbon, and enhance biodiversity.

Social Benefits

Urban trees promote mental health, beautify cities, encourage physical activity, and foster community cohesion.

Economic Benefits

Urban trees lower energy costs, increase property values, and contribute to local economic growth.

Public Health Benefits

Urban trees reduce noise pollution, improve air quality, and regulate temperatures, contributing to better public health.

Species Diversity

The NJ Tree Foundation focuses on planting a wide variety of species in our community-based programs.

Having a diverse tree canopy helps to create an urban forest that is more resilient in the face of pests, diseases, and even climate change. When species- or genus-specific issues arise, such as the Emerald Ash Borer or Dutch Elm Disease, it can wipe out an entire species/genus. If the only trees planted in a city were Ash or Elm, the entire canopy would be lost! Diverse planting helps to ensure that when these problems arise, our streets are not left completely barren.

We aim to plant at least two different species for each project, with more diversity for larger projects. Our goal is to achieve the 10-20-30 rule across our programs - this means that each season NJTF plantings are comprised of no more than 10% of one species, 20% from one genus, and 30% from one family. It’s not always easy. We have to balance selecting species that will thrive in urban areas with community preferences, and in many areas we are further restricted by overhead utilities and small planting spaces. We also need to think about the diversity of our plantings over time, adding new and different species from year to year. As we improve the diversity of our plantings, the diversity of the urban forests in the cities we serve will improve, creating a more resilient and sustainable tree resource.

Pretty good! Click here to see our most recent species diversity breakdown.
Stay in the loop! Get notified about upcoming events and opportunities by signing up for our newsletter.
The New Jersey Tree Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
Powered by Hopeworks Web | Copyright 2024
Subscribe to our e-newsletter to stay up to date with the latest news surrounding NJ trees and the NJ Tree Foundation

Scholarships

Through our ‘Planting Environmental Justice One Tree at a Time’ program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, we are offering scholarships to the New Jersey Shade Tree Federation Conference in October, and the Garden State Tree Conference in February. These conferences offer an opportunity for attendees to expand their tree knowledge and meet other industry professionals. No prior experience working in urban and community forestry is required.

Interested applicants should meet the following requirements:

  • Be over the age of 21
  • Live in a Census Tract identified by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening tool.
  • Demonstrate an interest in tree stewardship and a desire to share knowledge gained
    through the conference with their community

Scholarships will cover the cost of conference registration (including light breakfast/lunch), travel, and hotel accommodations. Application information will be made available approximately two months prior to each conference, so please check back regularly!

For more information, please contact Elena Messina
(emessina@njtreefoundation.org ) in Northern NJ or Crystal Wessel
(cwessel@njtreefoundation) in Central and Southern NJ.
Apply Now

Community Tree Stewards

The NJ Tree Foundation is seeking 2-3 Tree Stewards for its Community Tree Planting programs.

The Tree Stewards will assist the NJ Tree Foundation’s Program Directors with tasks related to our Community Tree Planting programs in each of our core cities: Camden, Trenton, and Newark. Applicants must reside in one of these cities, and will work in the city in which they live. We are seeking 2-3 Tree Stewards for each city for the Fall Winter 2024-25 season. At the end of the season, there will be the possibility for extension into the Spring 2025 season.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
The Tree Stewards will be responsible for helping the NJ Tree Foundation to implement new tree planting projects, as well as helping ensure the success of prior projects. Tasks will vary depending on the needs of each program, but may include the following:

  • Collecting data on prior tree planting projects (monitoring health of trees and checking for issues, measuring DBH, taking photos, etc.)
  • Canvassing for tree planting projects
  • Staking recently planted trees
  • Pruning and mulching young trees
  • Removing watering bags/stakes/deer guards from older trees
  • Assisting with tree plantings

As the tasks will take place at various locations throughout each city, applicants must be able to arrange transportation to each site.

Required Skills and Experience
The NJ Tree Foundation is seeking hard working and reliable individuals that enjoy working outside and would like to learn more about urban forestry. The applicant must work well with diverse populations, and have an interest in tree planting

For more information, or to apply, please contact Elena Messina
(emessina@njtreefoundation.org ) in Northern NJ or Crystal Wessel
(cwessel@njtreefoundation) in Central and Southern NJ.