$250K Municipal Tree Maintenance Grants Available Through NJ Forest Service

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2026

Contact: Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795
Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795

SHERRILL ADMINISTRATION ROUNDS OUT EARTH WEEK, CELEBRATES ARBOR DAY BY ANNOUNCING AVAILABILITY OF MUNICIPAL TREE MAINTENANCE GRANTS

(26/P18) TRENTON – The Sherrill Administration rounded out Earth Week and celebrated Arbor Day today by announcing the availability of $250,000 in grants to support municipal tree maintenance statewide during a tree-planting ceremony in Paramus, a Bergen County community with deep roots in tree stewardship.

DEP Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak was joined by state and local officials to mark Arbor Day, and to commend Paramus for its 50 th consecutive year as a Tree City USA community.

“As we close out the first Earth Week of the Sherrill Administration, what more of a fitting way than by celebrating local leadership at its finest. There’s nearly 19,500 municipalities in our country and of those, only 16 have reached Tree City USA status. Paramus is one of those,” said Acting Commissioner Potosnak. “Trees provide shade in hot weather and help lower energy costs, reduce flooding, beautify neighborhoods, improve air quality, and create habitat for wildlife.”

Trees can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs for homes and businesses by providing shade in summer and wind protection in winter, while also helping manage stormwater, reduce flooding and prevent soil erosion.

Over the next 20 years, the trees planted today in Paramus will sequester 74,869 pounds of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of burning 3,743.5 gallons of gasoline; prevent 43,964 gallons of stormwater runoff, enough to fill 879 bathtubs; and offset 2,419.5 kilowatt-hours of energy, enough to power a home for three months.

About Arbor Day

New Jersey has observed Arbor Day since 1949, when the Legislature designated the last Friday in April as Arbor Day to prom

ote the planting, regeneration, care and management of trees and forests. In addition to Paramus, Parsippany-Troy Hills in Morris County also has held a Tree City USA designation for 50 years, two of only 16 communities nationwide to achieve this distinction.

Tree City USA, led by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, honors communities committed to urban and community forestry. To earn the designation, municipalities must maintain a tree care program, adopt a tree ordinance, dedicate funding for community tree maintenance, and observe Arbor Day.

Additionally, Paramus is the only municipality in New Jersey and one of just 27 in the United States to hold the Tree City of the World designation. The Tree City of the World program, also led by the Arbor Day Foundation, but in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, recognizes communities that manage their urban forests at an advanced, globally recognized level.

“Paramus and Parsippany-Troy Hills exemplify the spirit of Arbor Day through 50 years of leadership in caring for and investing in their urban trees,” said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. “We join the Arbor Day Foundation in commending Paramus on their success, which highlights the importance of long-term planning, local investment and community engagement in sustaining healthy, resilient urban and community forests.”

During the Forest Service’s Arbor Day celebration, 23 trees were planted around Paramus Borough Hall. In addition, the New Jersey Tree Foundation hosted a fruit tree giveaway, distributing 150 trees to local residents. The giveaway was funded by the New York Red Bulls and the USDA Forest Service.

“Trees add to the quality of life for our residents, increase property values, beautify the town and overall make Paramus a better place to live,” said William R. Comery, Chairman of the Paramus Shade Tree Commission.

Municipal Tree Maintenance Grants

Municipalities accredited through the New Jersey Forest Service’s Urban & Community Forestry Program are eligible to apply for Municipal Tree Maintenance Grants. The program will award up to $25,000 each to approximately 10 communities, for a total of $250,000 in funding.

Funding will support tree pruning and removal projects identified through an existing tree inventory and risk assessment. Applicants must provide a 25% match, which may include cash or in-kind contributions.

The grants build on the Forest Service’s ongoing efforts to promote data-driven management of local tree resources, helping communities reduce public safety risks while improving the health and resilience of their urban and community forests.

“Helping municipalities carry out maintenance and risk reduction is a critical step in putting tree inventory data to use,” said Greg McLaughlin, Administrator for Forests & Natural Lands. “These grants will fund high-priority work identified through tree risk assessments and ensure it is performed by qualified professionals.”

Spring Forestry Festival

The New Jersey Forest Service will host the agency’s first Spring Forestry Festival on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the State Tree Nursery in Jackson Township, Ocean County. The free, family-friendly event will feature activities for all ages, including:

• Tours of the Forest Service nursery greenhouse and equipment;

• Exhibits from NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, including equipment displays and photos with Smokey Bear;

• Hayrides throughout the property;

• Live music;

• Demonstrations on measuring large trees and maple syrup production;

• Crafts, games and guided hikes;

• A law enforcement exhibit by the Jackson Township Police Department;

• Tree-carving demonstrations and a live wolf exhibit
  Like the New Jersey Forest Service on Facebook at facebook.com/newjerseyforests

Learn more about the New Jersey Forest Service’s Urban & Community Forestry Program communityforestry.nj.gov

For more information on DEP’s celebration of Earth Week 2026, including an Arbor Day proclamation signed by Governor Sherrill, press releases, social media and other resources, visit https://dep.nj.gov/

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