DEC Kicks Off Spring Planting Season and Encourages New Yorkers to Plant Trees in Lead-Up to Arbor Day

Support New York’s Goal to Plant 25 Million Trees by 2033

Trees Planted in Spring 2025 and Recorded in Tree Tracker Eligible for Prize Drawings

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is calling on organizations, municipalities, community groups, schools, and individuals across New York State to celebrate Arbor Day, coming up on April 25, by taking part in the State’s “25 Million Trees by 2033” initiative. New Yorkers are encouraged to plant trees and record them in the newly launched 25 Million Trees Tree Tracker. Arbor Day is a reminder of the essential role trees play in protecting air and water quality, preventing flooding and runoff, providing wildlife habitat, reducing energy bills by cooling communities, enhancing overall quality of life, and boosting local economies through forest products and forest-related recreation.

“Whether through large-scale community events or individual plantings, every tree we plant accelerates New York’s efforts to expand green spaces, benefitting our climate, biodiversity, and quality of life,” DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “The 25 Million Trees toolkit is designed to connect New Yorkers to the broader statewide initiative on Arbor Day and the months ahead. We thank those who have already shared their tree planting stories with us and invite New Yorkers in communities across the state to join our tree planting efforts.”

To assist in building public awareness about the benefits of trees and encouraging New Yorkers to become involved in a tree planting event or help organize a tree planting event of their own, DEC developed a suite of helpful planning resources.

DEC’s 25 Million Trees toolkit connects individuals and groups with a variety of planning resources including:

Key messages about the 25 Million Trees by 2033 initiative and the importance of trees;
Sample social media posts and downloadable graphics to get the word out about the initiative;
Promotional materials to hand out;
Information on taking care of new trees; and
Tips to encourage people to get involved.

Organizers are encouraged to promote community tree-planting events by submitting events for inclusion on the statewide event calendar. People visiting the 25 Million Trees webpage can find what events or volunteer opportunities are available in and near their communities.

The resources also encourage everyone planting trees to upload the trees they plant into the newly launched 25 Million Tree Tracker. Every tree planted counts toward the statewide planting goal.

In addition, DEC is making “Tree Tracker Tags” available for organizations hosting tree planting and seedling giveaways. The tags have a scannable QR code that links to the online Tree Tracker, as well as tips on proper planting to help new plantings thrive. Free Tree Tracker Tags are available by request via the Microsoft form on the DEC website and a PDF version is also available for printing.

Every person that uploads a tree planting in the months of April and May 2025 will be automatically entered in a 25 Million Trees sweepstakes. DEC will announce more details about prizes on Arbor Day 2025. In addition, tree planting submissions with photos and captions submitted to the Tree Tracker will be entered for consideration in next year’s DEC Arbor Day poster contest.

Looking to find trees for planting projects? Some sources include local tree nurseries, county Soil and Water Conservation Districts, or through DEC’s Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery's annual seedling sale. Dozens of New York-grown tree and shrub species are available for purchase at the nursery now through May 14. Find the nursery’s availability list online at the nursery page on the DEC website.

Governor Kathy Hochul launched the 25 Million Trees Initiative to recognize the importance of trees and forests in achieving New York State’s climate reforestation goals. This initiative also complements Governor Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative to promote physical and mental health by encouraging families to put down their digital devices, take a break from social media, and enjoy outdoor recreation and social gatherings.