Tree-Planting Volunteers Needed In Newark, East Orange, Paterson

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the New Jersey Tree Foundation. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The New Jersey Tree Foundation’s Renaissance Trees Program is recruiting volunteers to plant trees in Northern New Jersey this fall.

“At the New Jersey Tree Foundation, we plant trees at the request of residents in neighborhoods that will benefit most from increasing tree canopy cover,” said NJ Tree Foundation (NJTF) executive director Pam Zipse, “Trees provide significant environmental, social, and health benefits, and we believe that everyone deserves to experience the joy of a healthy, safe, beautiful environment that results from a forested community.”

The Renaissance Trees Program is NJTF’s North Jersey branch, planting over 4,300 trees in the Brick City and beyond since 2006. Last season, residents and volunteers planted 79 trees in Newark, Orange, Jersey City and Morristown. In addition, NJTF hosted a tree giveaway program of 150 fruit trees to Newark residents.

“Each tree planting is a step toward long-term environmental sustainability for each neighborhood,” said Renaissance Trees Program director Elena Messina, “At each event we teach volunteers how to properly plant trees in the hopes that they replicate this work on their own and, over time, contribute to their city’s tree canopy.”

NJTF believes in planting the right tree in the right place and has done so in cities across New Jersey since 1998. The trees to be planted this season were selected specific to each site and for maximum environmental benefit. This season’s programs and services are funded in part by the Inflation Reduction Act and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Urban & Community Forestry Program. In addition, RTP received support from PSEG, Accenture, Whole Kids Foundation and corporate volunteer support from Volvo through One Tree Planted.

Trees, and the communal act of planting, have the power to transform streets into neighborhoods. Volunteers of all ages are welcome and are needed to dig holes, lift and set trees in place and spread mulch. Tools and gloves will be provided and all training will take place on site, no experience necessary. All tree planting events begin at 9 a.m. and typically finish by noon, rain or shine. The number of volunteer slots are limited at each event, so individuals and volunteer groups will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Please wear closed-toed shoes and clothes that can get dirty.

• 10/5 - Goldsmith Ave, Newark - 26 trees - 35 volunteers needed
• 10/19 - Centerway St, East Orange - 7 trees - 20 volunteers needed
• 10/26 - Ridge St, Newark - 11 trees - 30 volunteers needed

Dates to be decided (TBD):

• Harriet Tubman Elementary School, Newark
• E 26st St, Paterson

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact emessina@njtreefoundation.org or call 609-439-1755.

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