Adirondack Garden Club Learns About New York’s 25 Million Trees Initiative

The Adirondack Garden Club welcomed Annabel Gregg of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to its June meeting at the DEC headquarters in Ray Brook for an inspiring presentation on New York’s ambitious 25 Million Trees by 2033 initiative.

Appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul, Gregg works closely with state agencies to advance one of New York’s largest reforestation efforts. The initiative aims to plant 25 million trees across urban and rural landscapes by 2033, helping to combat climate change, improve air and water quality, restore wildlife habitat, and increase tree canopy in communities that have historically lacked green infrastructure.

Gregg emphasized that the effort depends on broad public participation. Residents, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners all have opportunities to contribute by planting trees and recording them through the DEC’s online Tree Tracker. Every tree counts toward the statewide goal.

One of the presentation’s most compelling examples came from Watertown, where an Urban and Community Forestry grant transformed a neighborhood dominated by pavement into a greener, more inviting space. Concrete was removed, pervious surfaces installed, and eight trees planted. The improvements quickly produced cooler temperatures, increased shade, reduced stormwater runoff, and even less noise, illustrating the many benefits that thoughtfully planted trees provide.

Reaching the 2033 goal, however, will require more than enthusiasm. Gregg explained that New York must significantly increase the production of native tree seedlings. The DEC’s Saratoga Tree Nursery, the state’s only public nursery, is expanding production after years of decline and relies on locally collected native seed to supply future forests. New Yorkers can even participate by collecting eligible native seeds for the nursery each summer.

The presentation also highlighted the importance of planting the right tree in the right place. The DEC offers online resources that help landowners and communities select species suited to local soils, climate, and growing conditions. Numerous grant programs are available to support reforestation, invasive species removal, and forest restoration on both public and private lands.

Gregg closed with a reminder that planting trees is a long-term investment in healthier communities and a more resilient environment. Whether planting a single native tree at home, organizing a community planting day, or restoring acres of forestland, every effort contributes to New York’s vision of a greener future.

For Adirondack Garden Club members, the presentation served as both an education and a call to action. As gardeners and stewards of the landscape, they are uniquely positioned to help grow New York’s forests—one tree at a time.