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).
Fall 2021 Volunteer Opportunities:
Wednesday, September 29 (9:30AM - 11:30AM) - Fontyne Kill in Woodstock
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Woodstock Land Conservancy to plant 60 native shrubs in a floodplain of the Fontyne Kill at the Zena Cornfield on Gitnick Rd in Woodstock. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more event details, please email Melissa Peterson at melissap.wlc@gmail.com
Friday, October 8 (starting 9:50AM) - Furnace Brook in the Town of Cortlandt
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with Riverkeeper to host a tree planting event along Furnace Brook in Oscawana Park, in the Town of Cortlandt to plant 60 native trees and remove invasive vines in the riparian corridor. The planting site is adjacent to a former dam that was removed last fall. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more details for the event please contact George Jackman (Riverkeeper, Senior Habitat Restoration Manager) GJackman@riverkeeper.org .
Saturday, October 16 (9AM- 1PM)) - Dock Hull Creek in Cornwall-On-Hudson
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Village of Cornwall-On-Hudson to plant 60 trees and remove invasive species along Dock Hill Creek in the Village of Cornwall-On-Hudson. Meet at Pagenstecher Park on Dock Hill Road. Please be prepared with gloves, sturdy shoes etc. and bring a shovel, pick axe or pruning sheers if you have them. The event will follow Orange County COVID guidelines. If you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like more event details, please contact the Cornwall Riverfront Committee at cornwallriverfront@gmail.com.
Saturday, October 16 (8:30AM - 2:30PM) - Boutillier's Brook in Hastings-on-Hudson
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Hastings Conservation Commission to plant 300 more native trees and shrubs along Boutillier's Brook on Farragut Parkway near the Saw Mill River Parkway/Exit 12. If you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like more event details, please contact Haven Colgate at conservationcommission@hastingsgov.org. If you're able to help with preparation, volunteers will also be working 2-5PM on Sundays October 3 and 10, and Friday, October 15.
Saturday, October 16 (10:00AM) - Saw Mill River in Dobbs Ferry
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Dobbs Ferry Conservation Advisory Board and Groundwork HV to plant 65 native trees and shrubs along the Saw Mill River at Chauncey Park. If you are interested in volunteering for this event (leaves DEC website) or would like more event details, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chauncey-park-fall-2021-trees-for-tribs-planting-tickets-171209420987.
Sunday, October 17 (9:00AM) - East Hackensack River in the Valley Cottage
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with NYS Parks to plant 200 native trees and shrubs along the East Hackensack River at Rockland Lake State Park. If you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like more event details, please email scott.flanagan@parks.ny.gov, or call the Rockland Lake State Park office at 845-268-3020.
Saturday, October 30 (10:00AM-1:00PM) - Saw Mill River in Mount Pleasant
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Groundwork Hudson Valley, and the Conservation Advisory Councils (CACs) of the Village of Pleasantville and the Town of Mount Pleasant to plant 130 native trees and shrubs in a floodplain of the Saw Mill River in Mount Pleasant. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more event details, please email Helen Meurer (Village of Pleasantville CAC) at PleasantvilleCAC@gmail.com.
Saturday, November 6 (Starting at 10:00AM) - Catskill Creek in Town of Town of Catskill
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with Scenic Hudson and Greene Land Trust to plant 200 native trees in the floodplain of Catskill Creek at Scenic Hudson's Mawignack Preserve on Snake Road, Catskill. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Helena at hmazurek@scenichudson.org.
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.
