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
Collect and donate seeds to help grow the next generation of New York State's trees!
Every Tree Counts! Help New York State meet its goal of planting 25 million trees by 2033! Whether you plant one tree or many, enter them into the Tree Tracker. Check out tree planting events near you.
Note: The Tree Tracker launched in February 2025. DEC is working with public and private partners to collect tree planting data for 2024. This will help ensure the dashboard fully reflects all of the efforts contributing to New York State’s tree planting goal.
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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!
Image Credit
Chris Ray
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 by modernizing DEC’s Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery;
- 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.
- Visit DEC’s How to Plant a Tree web page for more considerations.
- Planting many trees? Check out The Nature Conservancy’s Reforestation and Afforestation Guidance in New York State (PDF).
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.
Image Credit
Adam Olinski, SUNY Morrisville
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.
View Upcoming Events
| Event Title | Date/Time | Location | County | Organizer | Description of the Event/Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundview Park Forest Restoration | October 9, 2026 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Soundview Park, Bronx, New York, NY | Bronx | NYC Department of Parks and Recreation | Volunteer with the Stewardship team to protect the forested areas in Soundview Park! Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. Come dressed in sturdy boots or shoes, long sleeves, long pants, and clothing that can get dirty. Face masks may be worn at your discretion. Space is limited and registration is required. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone. This event has been funded in part by NYC Service. To sign up a group of 10 or more volunteers please reach out to [email protected]. |
| Inwood Hill Park Forest Restoration | October 10, 2026 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan, New York, NY | New York | NYC Department of Parks and Recreation | Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect the forested areas of Inwood Hill Park! Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. Come dressed in sturdy boots or shoes, long sleeves, long pants, and clothing that can get dirty. Face masks may be worn at your discretion. Space is limited and registration is required. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone. This event has been made possible with funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. To sign up a group of 10 or more volunteers please reach out to [email protected]. |
| Kissena Park Tree and Shrub Planting | October 23 and 24, 2026 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Kissena Park | Queens | NYC Department of Parks and Recreation | Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to plant trees in the forest of Kissena Park! Trees provide so many benefits to New Yorkers such as improved air and water quality, reduced pollution, and lower energy costs. Volunteers will be trained in proper planting techniques. Come dressed in sturdy boots or shoes, long sleeves, long pants, and clothing that can get dirty. Face masks may be worn at your discretion. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone. This event has been made possible with funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. To sign up a group of 10 or more volunteers please reach out to [email protected]. |
| Eibs Pond Park Forest Restoration | October 24, 2026 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Eibs Pond Park, Staten Island, New York, NY | Richmond | NYC Department of Parks and Recreation | Volunteer with the Stewardship Team to protect the forested areas in Eibs Pond Park! Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. Come dressed in sturdy boots or shoes, long sleeves, long pants, and clothing that can get dirty. Face masks may be worn at your discretion. Space is limited and registration is required. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone. This event has been made possible with funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. To sign up a group of 10 or more volunteers please reach out to [email protected]. |
Check out the DEC Hudson River Estuary Trees for Tribs tree planting events occurring in the lower Hudson Valley.
| Event Title | Date/Time | Location | County | Organizer | Description of the Event/Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Revolution 250th Anniversary Commemoration | October 1, 2026 through October 30, 2026 from 8:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. | Multiple - Primary Location 28 Franklin Place; Pelham, NY 10803` | Westchester | Pelham Union Free School District | Pelham Liberty 250th Tree Planting Initiative. |
| Tree Planting at Shawangunk Kill | October 12, 2026 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Shawangunk, NY | Ulster | Trees for Tribs | Trees for Tribs is teaming up with volunteers to plant 150 native trees and shrubs along the confluence of the Shawangunk Kill and Dwaar kill. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please RSVP to [email protected]. |
| Tree Planting at Bob Mangles Park | October 16, 2026 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Bob Mangles Park, Wawarsing, NY | Ulster | Trees for Tribs | Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Permaculture Land Trust and the Town of Wawarsing to plant 150 native trees and shrubs along the Sandburg Creek in Bob Mangles Park. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please RSVP to [email protected]. |
| Be Woods-Wise: A Forest Stewardship Workshop for Watershed Forest Landowners | October 17, 2026 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Frost Valley YMCA - 2000 Frost Valley Rd. Claryville, NY 12725 | Ulster | Cornell Cooperative Extension | Join us for Be Woods-Wise: A Forest Stewardship Workshop for Watershed Forest Landowners, a comprehensive full day program tailored for property owners who want to better understand, protect, and manage their woodlands. Enjoy a presentation style lecture in the morning, followed by an afternoon in the field. Bring your children to participate in the free outdoor youth session, Forest and Water Awareness Day, while you attend the morning indoor session! Children will learn from regional environmental educators while visiting various stations. |
| Tree Planting at Sparkill Creek | October 18, 2026 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Orangetown, NY | Rockland | Trees for Tribs | Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance and Saint Thomas Aquinas College to plant 100 native trees and shrubs along the Sparkill Creek in Orangetown. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please RSVP to [email protected]. |
| Event Title | Date/Time | Location | County | Organizer | Description of the Event/Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grow A Forest at Five Rivers | October 9. 2026 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, Delmar, NY | Albany | NYSDEC | Join us to plant native trees and shrubs as we restore the woods along the Beaver Tree Trail. We cleared an acre of invasive plants this summer, and we need you to help us grow new habitat in its place! Call 518-475-0291 by Thursday, October 8, to register. |
| Tree Planting at Poesten Kill | October 16 and 17, 2026 10:00 a.m. | Poestenkill, NY | Rensselaer | Trees for Tribs | Trees for Tribs is teaming up with Trout Unlimited and the Poestenkill Fire Co to plant 100 native trees and shrubs along the Poesten Kill behind the Poestenkill Fire Co. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected]. |
| Grow a Forest at Five Rivers | October 17, 2026 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, Delmar, NY | Albany | NYSDEC | Join us to plant native trees and shrubs as we restore the woods along the Beaver Tree Trail. We cleared an acre of invasive plants this summer, and we need you to help us grow new habitat in its place! Call 518-475-0291 by Wednesday, October 14, to register. |
| Event Title | Date/Time | Location | County | Organizer | Description of the Event/Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Brook Tree Planting | October 17, 2026 10:00 a.m. | True Brook Tree Planting Site, Saranac, New York | Clinton | Trout Unlimited | TU Tree Planting events are a great way to give back to a creek you love or learn about one you've yet to explore. True Brook is a Saranac River tributary that Trout Unlimited staff have been studying and hope to now enlist your help to improve. We've ordered a mix of some 1000 native trees and shrubs that will be planted along an open stream parcel where future tree shade will play a huge factor in cooling and protecting the wild trout and other wildlife found swimming in True Brook. The tree planting will begin at 10am and all are welcome. Wear your boots, bring a reusable water bottle and wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Please register so we can plan accordingly! Please note, this is a rain or shine event. |
| Event Title | Date/Time | Location | County | Organizer | Description of the Event/Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event Title | Date/Time | Location | County | Organizer | Description of the Event/Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| : Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Tree Planting and Maintenance | Every Wednesday from September 30, 2026 to November 25, 2026 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Marano Campus Center, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY | Oswego | SUNY Oswego | SUNY Oswego, the Office of Sustainability and Rice Creek Field Station, in partnership with the Atlantic States Legal Foundation and funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), are implementing a multi-site agroforestry project. The initiative includes the planting of approximately 250 fruit-bearing and medicinal trees and shrubs across SUNY Oswego’s campus. |
| Event Title | Date/Time | Location | County | Organizer | Description of the Event/Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARSH! Woody Invasives Removal & Native Tree Planting | October 28, 2026 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Montezuma Audubon Center, Savannah, NY | Wayne | Montezuma Audubon Center | Volunteer with Montezuma Audubon Center and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation staff to remove woody invasive plants from forested off-trail wildlife habitat and plant native trees within the Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area! Participants will meet with staff in the Montezuma Audubon Center (2295 State Route 89, Savannah, NY 13146) parking lot at 9am and go over safety and plant identification before carpooling to the work site in staff vehicles. You will be given any and all tools necessary to dig out, cut back vegetation, and plant trees including saws, pruners, gloves, PPE, and shovels. Hydration will be available at all times and lunch will be provided by the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. An email will be sent to all registrants prior to the event with additional preparation information. |
| MARSH! Woody Invasives Removal & Native Tree Planting | November 7, 2026 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Montezuma Audubon Center, Savannah, NY | Wayne | Montezuma Audubon Center | Volunteer with Montezuma Audubon Center and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation staff to remove woody invasive plants from forested off-trail wildlife habitat and plant native trees within the Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area! Participants will meet with staff in the Montezuma Audubon Center (2295 State Route 89, Savannah, NY 13146) parking lot at 9am and go over safety and plant identification before carpooling to the work site in staff vehicles. You will be given any and all tools necessary to dig out, cut back vegetation, and plant trees including saws, pruners, gloves, PPE, and shovels. Hydration will be available at all times and lunch will be provided by the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. An email will be sent to all registrants prior to the event with additional preparation information. |
| Event Title | Date/Time | Location | County | Organizer | Description of the Event/Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roxberry Preserve Tree Planting | October 21, 2026 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Roxberry Preserve, Clarence, NY | Erie | Western New York Land Conservancy | We will plant 40 native trees at our Roxberry Preserve as part of our restoration efforts following invasive species removal. We will also install protective deer fencing around each tree. Volunteers should wear long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy footwear. Bring water, gloves, and a shovel. |
| Re-Tree Tree Planting Workshop | October 24, 2026 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Seneca Babcock Mychajliw Center, Buffalo, NY | Erie | Re-Leaf Buffalo | Join Re-Leaf Buffalo for a tree planting workshop! All volunteers that would like to attend the tree planting on 11/7 must first attend the tree planting workshop. The workshop is free and all are welcome. No prior experience required! |
| Re-Tree Tree Planting | November 7, 2026 | TBD | Erie | Re-Leaf Buffalo | Volunteer with Re-Tree Buffalo for a fall tree planting! All volunteers must first attend the tree planting workshop on 10/24. |
Resources Corner
25 Million Trees Toolkit (PDF)
Plan a tree-rific Arbor Day event with this toolkit for organizations and municipalities. Tie your events to the statewide initiative with social media posts, graphics, and the Tree Tracker.
Tree Planting and Care Fact Sheet (PDF)
A short and simple step-by-step guide to planting and caring for your tree seedling.
Tree Tracker Card (PDF)
3x5 index card with a QR code to the Tree Tracker, perfect as a handout at the checkout counter of your nursery or as swag at plant giveaways.
Request Tree Tracker Cards give away to customers and landowners.
25 Million Trees Logo (PNG)
Request 25 Million Trees logo stickers.
25 Million Trees Social Media Graphics
- 1 in 25 Million (JPG)
- Tree Benefits (JPG)
Reforestation and Restoration Resources
Reforestation and Afforestation Guidance for New York
This guide is for landowners interested in reforestation and provides information on project planning, site considerations, what to look for at a nursery, and maintenance and monitoring.
Large Scale-Reforestation at Hamilton College
This guide provides “lessons learned” by Hamilton College while reforesting their lands and can help others maximize success as they begin large-scale reforestation efforts.
Species Selection Tool for Ecological Restoration in NY
This tool provides a list of recommended native tree, shrub, and herbaceous plant species to improve habitats, increase biodiversity, and benefit wildlife across New York State.
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:
- DEC Stewardship Forestry staff
- DEC Cooperating Foresters
- Species Selection Tool Supporting Ecological Restoration in New York
- ISA Certified Arborists
- Cornell Cooperative Extension
- Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Planning Tools
- American Forests’ Tree Equity Mapper
- PlanItGeo’s TreeCanopy.US
- ITree suite of planning tools
- STEW-MAP NYC
- Community Canopy Fact Sheets for New York City
- Community Canopy Fact Sheets for Counties in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Funding Opportunities
Image Credit
Sara Soika, Hamilton College
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, Communities, Nonprofits, and Land Trusts
- Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Program (PDF)
- Other Urban and Community Forestry Grants
- Green Resiliency Grant Program
- National Grid 10,000 Trees and Growing Program (PDF)
- The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation
- Parks Tree Fund
- NYC Green Fund
- Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program
- Reforestation Request for Domestic Proposals- Arbor Day Foundation
- Funding for Private Landowners
- Funding for Nonprofits and Land Trusts
- Incentives
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