Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs
Replanting the Streams of the Hudson Valley
Volunteers planting a tree at a Trees for Tribs site
Riparian (streamside) buffers are essential for maintaining healthy streams and their conservation is a critical element of any holistic watershed program.
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. Applicants must complete an application and if the project is selected, recruit volunteers for planting, and maintain the site after the planting is complete. The application deadlines are March 1 for a planting in spring, and August 1 for planting in the fall. We strongly encourage you to apply before the application deadline, especially if you have a large site or you
want to request specific plant species.
Please read the Planting Project Overview (PDF, 61 KB) for more details
Download the Hudson Estuary Trees For Tribs Application (PDF, 33 KB)
Volunteer Opportunities
Planting
Trees for Tribs relies on volunteers to help with planting projects, which take place throughout the spring and fall. The landowner for each site recruits volunteers to help staff with planting. Once scheduled, the details for planting events, including contact information for the event coordinator, will be posted on the statewide Trees for Tribs web page. To find out more about planting young trees and shrubs, please see the Guide to Planting Your Trees and Shrubs (PDF 8 MB).
Plant Care
Some planted sites also need maintenance. [See our Maintenance Guide (PDF, 8 MB)]. This work generally requires a longer commitment from volunteers (often multiple work days) 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.
For more information about the Trees for Tribs program please contact:
Beth Roessler
Hudson River Estuary Program's Stream Buffer Coordinator
NYS DEC
21 South Putt Corners Rd.
New Paltz, NY 12561
phone (845) 256-2253
email: HudsonEstuaryTFT@dec.ny.gov
