|
DEC Kicks Off Spring
Planting Season and Encourages New Yorkers to Plant Trees in Lead-Up to
Arbor Day
Published: April 18, 2025 at
10:30 a.m.
By: Press Release from NYS DEC
DEC Kicks Off Spring
Planting Season and Encourages New Yorkers to Plant Trees in Lead-Up to
Arbor Day
25 Million Trees Arbor Day
Toolkit Now Available to Help Plan and Promote Tree Planting Events
Support New York’s Goal to Plant 25 Million Trees by 2033
Trees Planted in Spring 2025 and Recorded in Tree
Tracker Eligible for Prize Drawings
The New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is calling on
organizations, municipalities, community groups, schools, and individuals
across New York State to celebrate Arbor Day, coming up on April
25, by taking part in the State’s “25 Million
Trees by 2033” initiative. New Yorkers are encouraged to plant trees
and record them in the newly launched 25 Million Trees Tree Tracker. Arbor
Day is a reminder of the essential role trees play in protecting
air and water quality, preventing flooding and runoff, providing wildlife
habitat, reducing energy bills by cooling communities, enhancing overall
quality of life, and boosting local economies through forest products and
forest-related recreation.
“Whether through
large-scale community events or individual plantings, every tree we plant
accelerates New York’s efforts to expand green spaces, benefitting our
climate, biodiversity, and quality of life,” DEC Acting
Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “The 25 Million
Trees toolkit is designed to connect New Yorkers to the broader statewide
initiative on Arbor Day and the months ahead. We thank those who have
already shared their tree planting stories with us and invite New Yorkers
in communities across the state to join our tree planting efforts.”
To assist in
building public awareness about the benefits of trees and
encouraging New Yorkers to become involved in a tree planting event or
help organize a tree planting event of their own, DEC developed a
suite of helpful planning resources.
DEC’s 25 Million Trees toolkit connects individuals and
groups with a variety of planning resources including:
- Key messages about the 25 Million
Trees by 2033 initiative and the importance of trees;
- Sample social media posts and downloadable
graphics to get the word out about the initiative;
- Promotional materials to hand out;
- Information on taking care of new trees; and
- Tips to encourage people to get involved.
Organizers are
encouraged to promote community tree-planting events by submitting events
for inclusion on the statewide event calendar. People visiting
the 25 Million Trees webpage can find what events or
volunteer opportunities are available in and near their communities.
The resources
also encourage everyone planting trees to upload the trees they plant
into the newly launched 25 Million Tree Tracker. Every tree
planted counts toward the statewide planting goal.
In addition, DEC
is making “Tree Tracker Tags” available for organizations hosting tree
planting and seedling giveaways. The tags have a scannable QR code that
links to the online Tree Tracker, as well as tips on proper planting to
help new plantings thrive. Free Tree Tracker Tags are available by request
via the Microsoft form on the DEC website and a PDF version is also
available for printing.
Every person that
uploads a tree planting in the months of April and May 2025 will be
automatically entered in a 25 Million Trees
sweepstakes. DEC will announce more details about prizes on Arbor Day
2025. In addition, tree planting submissions with photos and captions
submitted to the Tree Tracker will be entered for consideration in next
year’s DEC Arbor Day poster contest.
Looking to find
trees for planting projects? Some sources include local tree nurseries,
county Soil and Water Conservation Districts, or through DEC’s
Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery's annual seedling
sale. Dozens of New York-grown tree and shrub
species are available for purchase at the nursery now through May
14. Find the nursery’s availability list online at the nursery
page on the DEC website.
Governor Kathy
Hochul launched the 25 Million Trees Initiative to
recognize the importance of trees and forests in achieving New York State’s
climate reforestation goals. This initiative also complements Governor
Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside”
initiative to promote physical and mental health by encouraging families
to put down their digital devices, take a break from social media, and
enjoy outdoor recreation and social gatherings.
|
