Growing a Greener New York

In a city defined by towering skyscrapers, crowded streets and constant reinvention, New York’s trees provide something equally essential: a living connection to nature. For half a century, Trees New York has worked to preserve th.at connection, transforming ordinary residents into dedicated stewards of the city’s urban forest. I

The nonprofit organization celebrated its 50th anniversary with a September 23 Fall Mixer at The Arsenal overlooking Central Park, bringing together supporters, volunteers, community partners and Citizen Pruners to recognize five decades of environmental advocacy and neighborhood involvement.

The gathering marked more than a milestone. It celebrated a uniquely New York story of residents coming together to protect the natural environment that makes their city more livable.

FIFTY YEARS OF GROWING TOGETHER
Founded in 1976, during a period of severe municipal budget cuts affecting forestry and neighborhood tree services, Trees New York began as a volunteer response to a city struggling to maintain its green spaces.

What started as a grassroots initiative has evolved into one of New York City’s established environmental stewardship organizations, dedicated to planting, preserving and protecting trees through education, citizen participation and advocacy.

Over five decades, Trees New York has trained more than 13,500 Citizen Pruners and introduced approximately 9,000 young people to the responsibilities of tree care and environmental stewardship.

During the past decade alone, the organization reports planting more than 5,000 trees in underserved communities throughout the five boroughs.

These accomplishments reflect a philosophy that has remained central to its mission: protecting the urban forest requires more than municipal resources. It depends upon New Yorkers taking an active role in the neighborhoods they call home.

PUTTING TREE CARE IN COMMUNITY HANDS
Among the organization’s most distinctive achievements is its Citizen Pruner program, which empowers residents to participate directly in caring for the city’s street trees.

Trees New York remains the only institution designated by NYC Parks to train and license individuals to legally prune New York City street trees.

Through specialized education and hands-on training, volunteers gain the knowledge necessary to perform appropriate pruning while understanding the importance of tree health, maintenance and longterm preservation.

The program encourages residents to look beyond the beauty of neighborhood greenery and recognize trees as essential elements of urban infrastructure.

From providing shade during summer heat to supporting biodiversity and improving neighborhood environments, trees contribute to the health, character and resilience of the city.

By placing practical knowledge in residents’ hands, Trees New York has helped establish a community of informed volunteers whose contributions extend well beyond individual planting projects.

CELEBRATING THE CITY’S URBAN FOREST
The organization’s anniversary year also connected with the fifth annual City of Forest Day, scheduled for October 3, 2026, bringing environmental education, neighborhood stewardship and creative programming together across New York City.

Presented by Forest for All NYC in partnership with the Parks and Open Space Partners coalition and NYC Parks, the citywide initiative was designed to encourage residents to explore, appreciate and protect the urban forest.

“City of Forest Day is New York City’s largest celebration of trees,” said Trees New York executive director Nelson Villarrubia.

“Trees are vital to the health, resilience and vitality of our city,” he added, emphasizing the importance of connecting volunteers and Citizen Pruners while encouraging New Yorkers to become involved.

Trees New York’s scheduled activities reflected the range of opportunities available for residents to participate in environmental stewardship.

In Carnegie Hill, the organization partnered with Carnegie Hill Neighbors for *Plant, Learn & Care for Carnegie Hill*, a family-friendly gathering at the neighborhood’s Pocket Park at East 97th Street and Park Avenue.

The program included bulb planting, children’s activities, tree care education and opportunities to meet the neighborhood’s Tree Pruning Team. Through the Daffodil Project, Carnegie Hill Neighbors also made 275 daffodil bulbs available to local buildings and businesses for neighborhood tree pit gardens.

Across the East River, a guided tree walk at Brooklyn’s historic Evergreens Cemetery offered another perspective on the city’s natural landscape.

Led by Trees New York Board Certified Master Arborist Sam Bishop, the approximately one-mile walk was designed to introduce participants to distinctive tree species and the seasonal transformations that bring autumn color to the urban forest.

WHERE NATURE MEETS THE ARTS
On Roosevelt Island, environmental awareness extended into the performing arts with a planned presentation at Lighthouse Park.

Organized by iDig2Learn and Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance, the program featured choreographer Jody Sperling and the Time Lapse Dance ensemble.

The performance brought together works exploring the hidden relationships between trees, humanity’s dependence on natural resources, plastic waste and the changing relationship between people and water.

Additional neighborhood stewardship activities, including programs in Boerum Hill, reinforced the central message that environmental responsibility begins with everyday community involvement.

A LIVING LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE
For Trees New York, the golden anniversary represents both an opportunity to reflect upon its accomplishments and a commitment to the generations that will inherit the city’s urban forest.

From the volunteers who responded to a municipal crisis in 1976 to today’s trained Citizen Pruners and young environmental advocates, the organization’s work demonstrates how sustained community participation can shape a city’s future.

As Trees New York enters its second half-century, its mission remains rooted in a simple but powerful principle: New York’s trees belong to everyone, and preserving them is a responsibility that everyone can share.

For more information: www.treesny.org Instagram: @TreesNewYork | Facebook: TreesNewYork | X: @TreesNewYork Photos: Neha Gautam