[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2025[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]

Contact: Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795
Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

DEP, SUSTAINABLE JERSEY, AND TCNJ ANNOUNCE SECOND ROUND AWARD OF NEARLY $4.5 MILLION IN TREES FOR SCHOOLS GRANTS

(25/P36) TRENTON – Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, Sustainable Jersey, and The College of New Jersey today announced the award of nearly $4.5 million in grants to fund the planting of trees at 40 public schools, colleges, and universities across the state through the Trees for Schools program.

The tree planting projects will increase shade coverage to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures due to climate change, beautify school campuses, mitigate and filter stormwater runoff, and reduce the state’s carbon footprint.

More than half of the projects are located in overburdened communities, where excessive paving and limited tree cover can cause temperatures to increase, a scenario known as the urban heat-island effect. Grant awardees will participate in workshops and design projects, with the goal of planting more than 4,500 trees in Spring 2026.

“The planting of trees in urban areas is an incredible tool in our work to mitigate the impacts of climate change,” Commissioner LaTourette said. “Expanding tree canopies at school campuses will make it easier for students, staff and residents to find shade on hot days while providing numerous environmental benefits. My DEP colleagues and I are proud to support this work to promote the importance of trees in fighting climate change.”

“The Trees for Schools grants make local sustainability real, practical, and achievable,” said Randall Solomon, director of Sustainable Jersey. “Congratulations to the schools, colleges, and universities awarded a grant. They are stepping up, taking advantage of resources, and showing that meaningful climate action isn’t an abstract idea. It’s happening now, in communities across New Jersey. We look forward to working with these schools to expand their tree canopy and provide students with rich educational opportunities and a vital connection to nature.”

The grants range from $10,000 to $250,000 and cover costs associated with planning, site preparation, tree purchases, planting, watering, monitoring, and maintenance over a three-year period. The program, which launched on Arbor Day in 2023, is a joint effort of DEP, Sustainable Jersey, and TCNJ. It is funded through New Jersey’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state, market-based program that establishes a regional cap on carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel power plants. Proceeds from RGGI auctions are used to fund programs that benefit the environment.

Grant Awards in Detail

Today’s announcement marks the second round of funding through the program; the first round of grants was awarded in 2023 and resulted in the planting of nearly 3,000 trees at 33 school campuses across the state. The second-round grant awards are as follows:

Atlantic County

Atlantic County Vocational School District, $130,845

Bergen County

Hackensack Board of Education, $204,256; Englewood Public School District, $79,760; Ridgewood Public Schools, $72,000; Fair Lawn Board of Education, $145,227; Ramsey School District, $238,917; Hillsdale Board of Education, $66,050; Mahwah Board of Education, $70,410

Burlington County

Rancocas Valley Regional High School District, $104,075

Cape May County

North Wildwood School District, $11,000

Essex County

Newark Board of Education, $249,997; Verona School District, $51,705

Gloucester County

Paulsboro Public Schools, $10,000

Hunterdon County

Hunterdon County Vocational School District, $20,000; Readington Township Public Schools, $39,463

Mercer County

Paul Robeson Charter School, $212,150; The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), $250,000; Hamilton Township School District, $23,000; Princeton Public School District, $92,125

Middlesex County

Metuchen School District, $167,880; South River Public School District, $54,219

Monmouth County

Freehold High School District, $50,000; Brookdale Community College, $243,983; Henry Hudson Regional School District, $95,205; Spring Lake Borough Board of Education, $31,245; Upper Freehold Regional School District, $117,300; Wall Township Public Schools, $192,005

Morris County

Morris School District, $202,400; Madison Public School District, $91,200; Randolph Township Schools, $67,716

Ocean County

Ocean County College, $19,460

Passaic County

William Paterson University, $249,796; Passaic County Technical-Vocational Schools, $31,472; Passaic Valley Regional High School District, $173,568

Salem County

Pittsgrove Township School District, $59,028

Union County

Elizabeth Board of Education, $249,872; Kean University, $235,342; Cranford Public School District, $21,243; Springfield Township School District, $10,363

Warren County

Lopatcong School District, $33,165

 

About Sustainable Jersey

Sustainable Jersey is a non-profit organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities and schools as they pursue sustainability programs. The organization operates a sustainability certification program to recognize those that have documented meeting rigorous standards. The program is managed by the Sustainability Institute at TCNJ. See Sustainable Jersey and Sustainable Jersey for Schools to learn more.

 

Sustainable Jersey PHOTO/Trees for Schools tree planting, Philip’s Academy Charter School, Newark, from 2024

###

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]