Governor Kathy Hochul launched the ‘25 Million Trees by 2033’ initiative during the 2024 State of the State Address to recognize the importance of trees and forests for climate mitigation and community health. DEC encourages all New Yorkers to record trees they plant via our Tree Tracker, which updates the dashboard below in real-time. Every tree counts!

25 Million Trees by 2033
Did you plant a tree in 2024? Planting 25 million trees means New York State will need all hands on deck to help reach our goal. Whether you're planting one tree or hundreds, every tree counts by recording it in the 25 Million Trees Tracker. After you’ve tracked your tree or trees in the Tree Tracker, share the good news on social media with the official hashtag #25MillionTreesNY!

Tree planting is a key strategy to help slow climate change and make our communities more resilient to challenges such as extreme heat, air pollution, and severe weather. Trees capture and store carbon in their leaves, roots, and trunks and offer ecological benefits such as providing wildlife habitat and naturally filtering air and water. Every tree planted–whether to create a new forest, assist in forest regeneration, or cool and beautify streets and neighborhoods–is a step towards a healthier, greener future for New Yorkers.
To achieve New York’s 25 Million Trees by 2033 goal, DEC is:
Providing new and continued funding opportunities for public and private landowners to plant new forests and increase tree canopy in urban communities;
Expanding New York State tree seedling production and nursery capacity;
Engaging the next generation of environmental stewards through education and outreach; and
Compiling an accurate record of trees planted across New York State using the Tree Tracker
Data will be available on the 25 Million Trees Dashboard
How To Get Involved
Step 1: Plant Trees
Whether you are planting one tree or hundreds, every New Yorker can be part of this initiative. Start planning your planting project today!
It’s important to plant the right tree in the right place. When choosing your tree or trees consider the site’s soil type, sun exposure, moisture level, space limitations, and hardiness zone, and choose a tree species that will thrive in these specific conditions. Check out DEC’s How to Plant a Tree Page for more considerations.
Step 2: Track Trees Planted
Record your tree plantings with DEC’s Tree Tracker to count toward the 25 million trees goal.
Any trees planted since Jan. 1, 2024, count toward the 25 million tree goal. When recording your tree or trees, be prepared to provide the location and number of trees planted. The Tree Tracker provides the option to submit additional information, if known, such as:
The start/end date of the planting project;
The type of tree species planted and its size;
Where tree(s) were purchased or otherwise procured; and
Photos of your planting efforts.

Step 3: Grow Your Tree
It is important to provide your newly planted tree or trees with proper care and maintenance to ensure survival. Adequate support and protection, mulch and/or fertilizer, and watering are all essential considerations. Learn about best practices for taking care of your tree.
25 Million Trees Events
Planting trees to celebrate Arbor Day? Getting volunteers out in the forest? Educating our next generation of environmental stewards? Add your event to our statewide 25 Million Trees Events calendar to help spread the word! Submitted events will be reviewed and then added to the public calendar after DEC approval.
Event | Date/Time | Location | County | Organizer | Description of the Event/Registration |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tree Toga | April 26, 2025 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM | Pitney Meadows Community Farm 223 West Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY | Saratoga | Sustainable Saratoga | We need you to help us plant the next generation of large-growing shade trees in Saratoga Springs! This Tree Toga, we are adding 40 large-growing shade trees to the urban forest on April 26. Volunteers assemble to learn the art of bare-root tree planting, belt out our catchy planting anthem (check the video!), and say cheese for the group pic. Then, armed with the expert guidance of our Lead Planters, teams scatter citywide to transform the streets into a green paradise. By lunchtime, we’ve worked our planting magic, and it’s time to toast to success at a local pub. |
Tree The 'Ville | April 26, 2025 10:00 AM | Springville Moose Lodge 13080 Buffalo Road Springville, NY | Erie | Green Springville | Green Springville’s Tree Giveaway is a FREE, 100% privately-funded program that provides and plants trees throughout the village of Springville, New York. We’re celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day with a single goal: to increase the amount of local trees for the benefit of everyone who lives, works, or visits our fantastic village. We provide the tree and the labor! Join us to plant over 125 trees in the Village! T-shirts and lunch provided - must sign up beforehand. |
Lets Help Our Street Trees Get Nutrients | April 27, 2025 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM | 438 East 160th Street Bronx | Bronx | NYC Parks | Volunteers will learn how to pruning fruit trees inside the garden and care for our street trees. Volunteers will also help with the growing season by building more raise beds in the top area of the garden. This is a great opportunity to learn how to become an active garden member. Bring water, snacks, and comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. |
ReTree Buffalo Planting | May 3, 2025 TBD | TBD | Erie | ReTree Buffalo | About seventy-five volunteers will take to their assigned planting sites to put in the trees starting at 9am. We will need hundreds of volunteers to help us do a massive tree planting all over Western New York to finish our project. |
Additional Resources
Technical Assistance
A forester, arborist, or natural resource professional can provide guidance on tree planting projects and connect you with additional resources to get started. Follow these links to find a professional near you:
Funding Opportunities

Use the DEC Grant Applications webpage to find potential funding opportunities for you and your tree planting project. Start with the list below.
Funding for Municipalities and Communities
Funding for Private Landowners
Funding for Nonprofits and Land Trusts
Incentives