Urban forestry has a long history of being volunteer driven, having started as a grassroots movement to protect community trees. There are many ways you can engage and participate in the decisions being made about your community trees.
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NYS ReLeaf

The New York ReLeaf Program is made up of regional committees and overseen by DEC in partnership with the NYS Urban Forestry Council, a not-for-profit advisory group. ReLeaf brings together tree care professionals, municipal staff, utility arborists, state and local government officials, educators, tree board members, and interested members of the public in support of urban forestry across the state. The program promotes the value of trees, proper tree care, and sound urban forest management practices by connecting communities to technical expertise, information and resources, training, and potential funding sources that will help them meet their local needs and maintain and improve their urban forests.
We encourage anyone who cares about the trees in their neighborhoods to get involved.
- To join your regional ReLeaf committee email [email protected] with your county and level of interest and we'll connect you with your regional co-chairs.
- To attend a ReLeaf workshop or event, visit the NYS UFC’s ReLeaf workshop page and check the DEC Events calendar for a workshop or webinar near you.
- Sign up for DEC Delivers to get workshop and webinar notices each month!
What ReLeaf Does
ReLeaf committees provide technical expertise and support in a variety of ways:
- Workshops - Each region aims to host at least one workshop a year. Workshop topics are decided by the committee and have included in the past: tree pruning, tree planting, chainsaw safety, tree stewardship programs, volunteer management and programs, building partnerships, tree and plant appraisal, electrical hazard awareness, writing tree ordinances, and more. Workshops are open to the public, range from half day to full day programs, and registration is required.
- Annual conference - Each year NY ReLeaf hosts an annual conference in a different part of the state. The conference is an opportunity for anyone interested in urban forestry to come together, make connections, and learn new topics from speakers around the state and northeast. Some presentations and photos from past conferences are available on the NYS Urban Forestry Council Conference Page.
- Arbor Day events - Arbor Day events around the state benefit from technical support from ReLeaf committee members who assist in tree plantings and celebrations in their communities. Committees have helped with sourcing trees and teaching volunteers best planting practices to ensure the newly planted trees survive into the future.
- Demonstrations - Committees have worked with their local communities to put on tree planting and tree pruning demonstrations for municipal and department of public works staff, for students and schools, and for other groups. These demonstrations might be part of larger events like Arbor Day or done as part of workshops.
- Volunteer events - ReLeaf Committees participate in and sometimes organize volunteer events, usually tree plantings, in support of their communities.

NYS Urban Forestry Council
The New York State Urban Forestry Council is DEC’s partner in urban forestry. The Council is a nonprofit member driven organization that supports urban forestry programs across New York. The Council provides scholarships to communities to get started with Tree City USA or the Tree Campus K-12 program, as well as reward grants for long running Tree City USA communities. They are also our partner in NY ReLeaf and assist with workshops and the annual conference. Anyone can join - arborists, tree board members, and other tree focused individuals make up the majority of the Council’s membership base.
To learn more about the Council and how to join, visit their website.
Tree Boards
A community Tree board oversees management of community and urban trees. Having a tree board is a requirement of the Tree City USA program. A tree board often includes a professional forester or arborist, planners, and community members with an interest in trees. Together the tree board develops and administers a tree management program in coordination with the municipal government and its staff. Tree boards should be authorized by a community tree ordinance which holds the board legally responsible for managing specific trees and empowers the board to provide advice and make decisions.
You can check your city, town, or village to see if you have a tree board and learn how to join. Board meetings are often open to the public, and you can attend and listen to the kinds of discussions being had around trees in your community. If your municipality does not have a tree board, reach out to your elected officials and encourage them to start one.

Tree Campus K-12, Higher Education, Healthcare, and Tree Line Programs
In addition to the Tree City USA program, the Arbor Day Foundation offers several recognition programs for schools, healthcare campuses, and utility companies. You can support trees in your community by encouraging your school district, college, utility company, or health care providers to participate in one of these programs.
Tree Campus K-12
Tree campus K-12 is a recent addition to the program offerings from the Arbor Day Foundation. This program encourages elementary, middle, and high schools to incorporate trees into their schools – both in lessons and around their buildings. This program’s application period is open throughout the school year and closes at the end of the school year. To qualify a school must assemble a tree team of teachers and administrators, celebrate Arbor Day, have a hands-on tree experience with their students, and an education plan.
Our partner, the NYS Urban Forestry Council, offers grants to schools looking to become Tree Campuses. Grant recipients receive funds for trees and an event, along with the support of a mentor from the Council. To apply please visit the NYS Urban forestry Council Grant page.
If you want to support your local school Arbor Day Foundation has a resource page with ways to connect and nominate a school to join the program.
Tree Campus Higher Education
Formerly called just “Tree Campus” The Higher education program is a partnership between Arbor Day foundation and NYSDEC. This program encourages schools to engage their students in urban forestry education and service learning while managing their campus trees. Tree Campus Higher education shows commitment to the environment and promotes healthy trees. To earn recognition a university or college must meet these five standards of having:
- A campus tree advisory committee
- A campus tree care plan
- A campus tree program with dedicated annual funding
- An annual Arbor Day observance
- A service-learning project focused on trees
Applications are first reviewed by DEC staff and are then reviewed by the Arbor Day Foundation. then at the state level, and finally by the Arbor Day Foundation. To learn more about the program and the five standards visit ADF Tree Campus USA.
Tree Campus higher education schools are required to renew annually and invited to our spring Tree City, Campus, and Line recognition events. For annual deadlines and application information, visit the Tree City USA page.

Tree Line USA
This program is a partnership between ADF and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes utility companies for adhering to best practices in arboriculture. The program encourages care and maintenance of our urban forests and builds partnerships between utility companies and the communities in which they operate. The Tree Line program has 5 standards companies must meet to qualify, and annual renewal is required. For complete details, please visit the Arbor Day Tree Line USA program website.
Tree Campus Healthcare
This program is the newest one from the Arbor Day foundation. Recognizing the health benefits of trees, Tree Campus Healthcare has five standards for health care providers to support public health and trees in their community. You can learn more about Tree Campus Healthcare on the Arbor Day foundation website.