Trees for Schools:
Tree-planting Grants for New Jersey
Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities
The Trees for Schools program is offering a new cycle of $4.5 million in grants to New Jersey public school districts, county colleges, and state colleges and universities to fund the planting of trees on campuses across the state.
Competitive grants of $10,000 to $250,000 will fund costs associated with planning, site preparation, trees, planting, and two years of maintenance.
This is the second cycle of Trees for Schools grants. Launched in 2023, the first cycle resulted in the planting of nearly three thousand trees at thirty-three educational institutions across the state. View the previous recipients here.
Apply Now
Applications are due Tuesday, May 13, 2025, for planting trees in Spring 2026.
Access Online Application
View Application Information Packet
Informational Webinar
An informational webinar was held to provide an overview of the program; information on the importance and benefits of tree-planting; guidance on how to select an appropriate site and develop a preliminary planting plan; an overview of the application process and requirements and a walk-through of the online portal.
Why Plant Trees?
Trees are critically needed to meet national and state climate goals and improve the quality of life in New Jersey. Trees combat climate change by storing carbon they pull out of the atmosphere and mitigating the effects of rising temperatures and rainfall. Trees provide shade, habitat, beauty and educational opportunities; they filter pollutants from air and water, reduce stormwater runoff, and lower carbon emissions and costs by saving energy in buildings.
Involving students in planning for, planting, and monitoring trees provides many opportunities for learning and integration into the curriculum. For example, primary and secondary school teachers could make educational linkages through The Benefit of Trees: An Interdisciplinary Project-Based Unit and other free resources available on the Sustainable Jersey for Schools Climate Education resource page. Colleges and universities could link project tracking and performance to their climate action plans. The Trees for Schools program will foster positive connections between students and the trees in their community with the goal of cultivating an understanding of their role in environmental stewardship, and sustainability.
Project Funding
The program is funded through New Jersey’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a multi-state, market-based program that establishes a regional cap on carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel power plants. Proceeds from cap auctions are used to fund programs to benefit the environment.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Senior Researcher, Melanie McDermott at mcdermom@tcnj.edu or 609-771-2836
Trees for Schools Partners
The Trees for Schools program is administered by the Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey in collaboration with Sustainable Jersey. It is made possible through the support of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
