Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs
Replanting the Streams of the Hudson Valley
Volunteers planting a tree at a Trees for Tribs site
The Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs Program helps to protect and restore streamside buffers. Healthy buffers, comprised of native trees, shrubs, and grasses, help to:
- Reduce water pollution
- Reduce erosion and flooding damage
- Provide habitat for fish and other wildlife
How Does the Program Work?
Trees for Tribs offers free native trees and shrubs for qualifying planting projects in the Hudson River estuary watershed. Program staff may also be able to assist with plant selection, designing a planting plan, and other technical assistance to help your project succeed.
Note: If your project is outside of the Hudson Valley, please visit New York State's Trees for Tribs Program. Also check out Buffer in A Bag to apply for a free bag of 25 bare-root tree and shrub seedlings.
How Do I Apply?
If you own or manage property near a stream in the Hudson estuary watershed, you can apply for assistance from Trees for Tribs. To apply, complete and submit an application. If your project is selected, you will be responsible for preparing, planting and maintaining the site. We encourage applicants to recruit local volunteers to help with planting and maintenance.
The application deadlines are March 1 for a planting in spring, and August 1 for planting in the fall. We recommend that you to apply before the application deadline, especially if you have a large site or you want to request specific plant species.
View the Planting Project Overview (PDF) for more details
Download the Hudson Estuary Trees For Tribs Application (PDF)
Volunteer Opportunities
Planting
Trees for Tribs relies on volunteers to help with planting projects, which take place throughout the spring and fall. The applicant for each site recruits volunteers to help staff with planting. To find out more about planting young trees and shrubs, please see the Guide to Planting Your Trees and Shrubs (PDF, 8 MB).
Spring 2021 Volunteer Opportunities:
Saturday, May 15, 11am - 1pm - Saw Mill River in the Village of Dobbs Ferry
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Dobbs Ferry Conservation Advisory Board and Groundwork Hudson Valley to plant 75 native trees and shrubs along a Saw Mill River tributary in Chauncey Park at Stanley Avenue and Danforth Avenue. If you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like more event details, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chauncey-park-spring-2021-trees-for-tribs-planting-tickets-150377478085 (leaves DEC website).
Saturday, May 22 (starting 10 am) - Sprout Brook in the Town of Cortlandt
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Town of Cortlandt, the Town of Cortlandt Conservation Advisory Council and local Boy Scouts to plant 120 native trees and shrubs along Sprout Brook in the Town's Sprout Brook Park, 130 Sprout Brook Road. If you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like more event details, please call Chris Kehoe, Town of Cortlandt Deputy Planning Director at (914) 734-1081.
Saturday, May 22 (Starting 11 am) - Croton River in Croton-on-Hudson
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Croton Trails Crew, the village of Croton's Conservation Advisory Council, and local Boy Scouts, to plant 65 native trees and shrubs along the Croton River in the Village's Black Rock Park, on Quaker Bridge Road. If you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like more event details, please call Terrence McGarty at (914) 260-2685 or email at terrence.mcgarty@gmail.com .
Sunday, May 23 (10:30am - 1:30pm) - Wallkill River in Town of Montgomery
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with Town of Montgomery Conservation Advisory Council to plant 100 trees along the Wallkill River at Benedict Farm Park on Rt. 17K Montgomery. If you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like more event details, please contact Patricia at henighanpatricia@gmail.com or 845-764-0763.
Friday, May 28 (Starting at 9:00 A.M) - Wyomanock Creek in Town of New Lebanon
Trees for Tribs will team up with the Town of New Lebanon and its Conservation Advisory Council and Climate Smart Communities Task Force to plant more than 500 native tree and shrub seedlings along a Wyomanock Creek tributary that parallels NYS Rte. 22 in Shatford Park. If you would like to volunteer for this event or need details, please call Peg Munves at (518) 794-8149 or email Peg at nlcac.munves@gmail.com.
Plant Care
Some planted sites also need maintenance. View our Maintenance Guide (PDF, 8 MB). This work generally requires a longer commitment from volunteers (often multiple workdays) and the ability to work independently without help from Trees for Tribs staff. If you are interested in this work, please e-mail HudsonEstuaryTFT@dec.ny.gov with details about when you are available and where you are willing to travel. We will do our best to match you up with a local site.
