NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Seedling Sale and School Seedling Program
School Seedling Program Application Period Now Open
Until March 28, schools and youth education organizations across New York State may apply to receive 25 free seedlings to plant with students. The goal of the program is to help instill a sense of environmental stewardship among New York’s youth and set a foundation that will allow students to make informed decisions about the use of natural resources. The program is an excellent tool for educators to use in meeting the Next Generation Science Standards as it provides a hands-on opportunity to learn about natural systems and the valuable role of trees, while building awareness of conservation issues.
All schools (public, private, nursery, elementary, secondary, vocational, college or university), homeschool groups, and any youth education-based organization may apply, provided trees are planted in New York State. Individual homeschools must apply through a homeschool group, co-op, or other association.
Seedlings are two to three years old, approximately four to 12 inches tall, and bare root. There are four species available – jack pine, red oak, river birch or speckled alder – and each school or organization may only receive one group of seedlings per year.
Annual Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale is Now Open
Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery’s annual spring seedling sale
is now open and will run until May 14, 2025. Each year, the nursery offers low-cost, New York-grown tree and shrub species for sale to encourage plantings that help conserve New York’s natural resources and foster the next generation of forests.
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