New Jersey Tree Foundation

The Urban Airshed Reforestation Program is designed to mitigate air and water pollution in the ozone non-attainment area of South Jersey, focused on the City of Camden, through the planting of thousand trees and the recruitment of numerous organizations as partners to support these greening efforts. This program links tree planting in an urban environment to better air and water quality by providing a safer, healthier environment for residents most affected by industrial pollutants. Since October 2002, the Tree Foundation has worked with 93 community-based groups to plant 2,956 trees with over 5,400 volunteers. Click here for more information about this program.

The NJ Tree Foundation has initiated a special reforestation program for the City of Newark, titled the Newark Renaissance Trees Program (NRTP). Through the assistance of the City of Newark, the Tree Foundation is working with residents to organize community tree plantings. Residents agree to adopt the tree, assist in maintaining (watering, weeding, and mulching) the tree for the first year, and attend a community meeting to select their trees. The Newark Renaissance Trees Program emphasizes community-based tree plantings. Neighborhood tree plantings create a sense of community pride, and respect for nature.

Green Streets Cool Schools

The New Jersey Tree Foundation, in partnership with DuPont is planting trees along streets and at schools in some of New Jerseys most urban areas. This project, called Green Streets - Cool Schools educates residents and students in the importance of urban forestry while creating lush green corridors and school grounds. All tree plantings are done by the Tree Foundation's Tree Crew with the support of each city. The Tree Foundation is partnering with the New Jersey State Parole Board to hire a seasonal tree planting crew, creating transitional jobs for individuals under parole supervision. Transitional jobs are time-limited jobs that combine real work, skill development and support services to help participants overcome barriers to employment. Click here for more information about this program.

Contract Services
The NJ Tree Foundation offers affordable landscaping and tree maintenance services in most New Jersey towns. Our Crew Supervisor and staff have been thoroughly trained by NJTF staff and NJ Certified Tree Experts. We are bonded and insured, and our work is guaranteed. All funds secured through our Contract Services go directly back into our tree planting and educational programs. For a free estimate please contact Lisa Simms at njtf1@juno.com.

Services Offered: Tree planting and maintenance, small tree pruning, mulching and stake removal, landscaping and landscape maintenance, garden maintenance.

NJ Living Memorial –A Grove of Remembrance

In spring 2003, the NJ Tree Foundation planted 691 mature trees, one tree for each New Jersey victim of 9/11, at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The impact of 691 trees on a 10.8-acre tract speaks loudly of New Jersey’s loss. The Grove of Remembrance is being maintained entirely by volunteers. Click here for more information about this program.

Free Trees for Arbor Day

The New Jersey Tree Foundation is offering free two-year-old trees (1 -’ –2’ tall) to celebrate Arbor Day occurring April 25, 2008. A variety of evergreen and deciduous trees are available. Schools, local governments, tree groups, non-profit organizations, scout groups, and any volunteer organization may apply for the free trees. All planting must occur on public lands, be done by volunteers and maintained for two years. Click here for more information and an application.

Memorial Tree Program

The New Jersey Tree Foundation’s Memorial Tree Program makes it easy to continue the spirit of remembrance and generosity. The cost of planting a memorial tree is $600.00. This contribution provides for the purchase, transportation, planting and continued care of a shade tree in Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ. An acknowledgement card, reflecting your donation in memory of your loved one, will be sent to the donor or requested third party.

Education Program

The NJ Tree Foundation's Education Program works with both youth and adults to teach the importance of urban and community forestry. In conjunction with the Celebrate Arbor Day! project, the Tree Foundation conducts four regional workshops during the spring of each year to train volunteer groups in the particulars of community and urban forestry. These workshops focus on methods of conducting a tree planting event, recruiting volunteers, acquiring in-kind donations for supplies, public relations, proper site selection, planting and maintenance of trees. The TreeKeepers program provides hands-on tree planting, pruning and maintenance workshops, to local volunteers who will use their expertise to maintain public tree plantings. Participants of the TreeKeepers Training receive both classroom and hands-on instruction in the planting and maintenance of trees, and in return volunteer 10 hours to local tree projects.

The State Arbor Day Celebration was held on Friday, April 25, 2008 at Heavenly Farms Community Center in East Brunswick, NJ. That day, 300 volunteers planted 172 trees at the Heavenly Farms Cultural Center. Everyone had a great time, and the trees look beautiful. The trees planted at the Heavenly Farms Cultural Center will provide beauty and shade for years to come. They will also be used to educate students using Project Learning Tree – an environmental education program designed for educators working with youth

Ten Cities Initiative

The Ten Cities Initiative was designed to establish Urban Forestry Programs in some of NJ’s most tree challenged communities. Through funding from the USDA Forest Service, the NJTF has partnered with eight urban communities - Garfield, Gloucester City, Hackensack, Jersey City, Keansburg, Neptune, Passaic, and Plainfield - to develop a community forestry management plan, train local residents and city officials, establish a tree commission, and coordinate a tree planting or educational event.

As of 2007, the 10 Cities Initiative has been successfully completed. Through volunteers, municipal support, and local sponsorship, NJTF has worked with 2,041 volunteers to plant 592 trees, provide hands-on education to 956 youth, and generate more than 8,150 hours of volunteer time to make this program a success. Through the assistance of local sponsors and donors, the 10 Cities Initiative received $24,421.34 worth of time and material donations, which contributed to the grant match totaling $192,190.30, exceeding the dollar-to-dollar match required.

Second Cities Initiative

The New Jersey Tree Foundation has successfully completed the Second Cities Initiative - a project to reestablish urban and community forestry programs in some of NJ’s under served communities. This Initiative granted funding to seven communities with instruction and assistance in writing and implementing a five year Community Forestry Management Plan, while simultaneously beautifying urban neighborhoods with shade trees, and providing the necessary training to create strong urban forestry programs in these cities. This Initiative expands on the Tree Foundation’s Ten Cities Initiative to include the following New Jersey’s communities: Atlantic City, East Orange, Irvington, Newark, Phillipsburg, Seaside Heights, and Union County.

As of 2007, the Second Cities Initiative has planted 276 trees with the help of 1,525 volunteers donating 4,495 hours of their time to make this program a success! Volunteer time and local donations provided an in-kind match totaling $90,779.09.