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 (PDF). 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 (PDF), 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
Friday, April 29 (9:00AM - 4:00PM) - DEC Region 3 Office in New Paltz
Join the Hudson River Estuary Trees for Tribs staff to put over 3,000 bareroot plants into pots. The native plants will then be used to replant the streams of the Hudson Valley. On-site training will be provided. To volunteer, please RSVP to HudsonEsuaryTFT@dec.ny.gov in advance.
Saturday, May 7 (9:00AM- 1:00PM) - Idlewild Creek in Cornwall
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Hudson Highlands Museum, the Town of Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council, and Riverkeeper to plant 300 native trees and shrubs along the Idlewild Creek at the Hudson Highlands Museum. If you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like more details, please register in advance.
Saturday, May 14 (11:00AM - 2:00PM) - Devries Park in Sleepy Hollow
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Village of Sleepy Hollow to plant 120 native trees and shrubs to help restore and stabilize the Pocantico River's final mile at Devries Park. This is just one piece of a major transformational project that will give the public some 50 acres of open uninterrupted space. Show up and join us! No need to register for this planting.
Thursday, May 19 (11:00AM - 2:00PM) - Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with Westchester Parks Foundation and Westchester County Parks to plant 100 native trees and shrubs along the Tibbetts Brook in Tibbetts Brook Park, 355 Midland Ave, Yonkers. If you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like more event details please view and register here. If you have any questions please contact volunteer@thewpf.org.
Saturday, May 21 (Starting at 9:00AM) - Wallkill River in Gardiner
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with Climate Smart Gardiner to plant 370 native trees and shrubs along the Wallkill River at the Riverbend Trails at Gardiner Park, 131 Steves Lane Gardiner, NY 12525. If you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like more event details please contact Tara Hoey at tara@hoeyfamily.com .
Sunday, May 22 (Starting at 10:30AM) Quassaick Creek in the Town of Newburgh
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with the Town of Newburgh and Quassaick Creek Watershed Alliance to plant 140 native trees and shrubs along the Quassaick Creek on Mill St. This event will be held rain or shine. If you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like more event details, please contact Ted Kohlmann at kohlmanntllt@aol.com .
Saturday, June 4 (9:00AM - Noon) - Plattekill Creek in the Town of Saugerties
Trees for Tribs is teaming up with a private landowner to plant 110 native trees and shrubs along the Plattekill Creek in the Town of Saugerties. If you are interested in volunteering for this event or would like more event details, please contact Jeff at tanabig@yahoo.com or 845-217-5670.
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).
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.
