NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announces the Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs (tributaries) program will kick-off the spring planting season with a "Potting Up" event in celebration of Arbor Day on Friday, April 24, and on Saturday, April 25. Volunteers are encouraged to join DEC’s Estuary Program staff in potting up thousands of bare-root seedlings.
"The Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs program provides a great opportunity for Hudson Valley communities to protect their local watershed with new tree plantings and support Governor Kathy Hochul's 25 Million Trees initiative," DEC’s Region 3 Director Kelly Turturro said. "Trees provide healthy buffers that reduce water pollution, erosion, and flood damage and protect critical habitat for fish and other wildlife. I encourage New Yorkers to celebrate Arbor Day by helping prepare these tree seedlings for planting.”
Seedlings potted up during this event will be planted throughout the Hudson Valley in May and June. Municipalities, environmental organizations, land trusts, watershed groups, and schools participate and volunteer.
The trees planted through the Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs program are all grown and provided by DEC's Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery. They are native, New York seed-sourced riparian species, ideal for flood and erosion-prone areas. To learn more about Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs, a video about Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs is available on YouTube at Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs or visit DEC's Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs webpage.
To volunteer for "Potting Up,” please RSVP for one or both days by emailing HudsonEstuaryTFT@dec.ny.gov or completing the sign-up form. The event takes place on Friday, April 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DEC Region 3 Headquarters, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older to participate.
Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that promotes tree plantings and tree care and highlights the importance of trees to the environment, economy and overall quality of life. Now celebrating its 20th year, more than 11,000 volunteers have helped the Hudson River Estuary Trees for Tribs plant an estimated 75,700 shrubs and trees on more than 156 acres at 420 streamside sites.
Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs efforts support Governor Hochul's ambitious 25 Million Trees Initiative, a campaign to get every New Yorker excited and engaged with tree planting. Anyone can contribute to the statewide goal to plant 25 million trees by 2033 by recording tree plantings in DEC’s Tree Tracker, a public engagement tool aiming to quantify all public and private planting projects. Since last Arbor Day alone, more than 200,000 trees have been planted across New York State and recorded in the Tree Tracker, including nearly 2,000 by the Hudson River Estuary Program.
The public is encouraged to find other tree planting events near them by visiting the 25 Million Trees webpage and viewing the statewide event calendar. Organizers should submit tree planting events to the 25 Million Trees event calendar to encourage participation and increase reach. There are also resources for connecting tree planting events to the Initiative available online, including an Event Toolkit with downloadable social media graphics and communication tips. To request 25 Million Trees stickers and QR code tags, or learn more about getting involved with the Initiative, visit DEC’s webpage.
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