the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood, NJ – Ridgewood Public Schools has been awarded a $72,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP), Sustainable Jersey, and The College of New Jersey as part of the Trees for Schools program.
The grant is part of a $4.5 million statewide initiative to plant thousands of trees at 40 public schools, colleges, and universities across New Jersey.
Planting Trees to Fight Climate Change
This initiative will help:
✅ Increase shade coverage to reduce rising temperatures caused by climate change
✅ Beautify school campuses and provide natural learning environments
✅ Mitigate stormwater runoff and improve local water quality
✅ Reduce carbon emissions and expand New Jersey’s green canopy
More than half of the projects target overburdened communities, where limited greenery and excessive pavement contribute to the urban heat-island effect — a major factor in extreme summer heat.
4,500+ Trees Coming to NJ Schools in 2026
Grant recipients will participate in workshops and design projects with the goal of planting over 4,500 trees by Spring 2026.
NJ Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette praised the program, saying:
“Expanding tree canopies on school campuses will make it easier for students, staff, and residents to find shade on hot days while providing numerous environmental benefits. Trees are an incredible tool in our fight against climate change.”
Randall Solomon, director of Sustainable Jersey, added:
“These grants make sustainability practical and achievable. Schools like Ridgewood are stepping up to take meaningful climate action in their communities.”
How the Trees for Schools Program Works
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Grants range from $10,000 to $250,000
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Funds cover planning, site prep, tree purchases, planting, watering, monitoring, and maintenance for 3 years
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Launched on Arbor Day 2023 as a collaboration between NJ DEP, Sustainable Jersey, and TCNJ
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Funded through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state program that caps carbon emissions from fossil fuel power plants
The first round of grants in 2023 resulted in 3,000 trees planted at 33 campuses.
Second Round Grant Awards in Bergen County
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Hackensack Board of Education – $204,256
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Englewood Public School District – $79,760
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Ridgewood Public Schools – $72,000
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Fair Lawn Board of Education – $145,227
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Ramsey School District – $238,917
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Hillsdale Board of Education – $66,050
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Mahwah Board of Education – $70,410
Looking Ahead
By 2026, Ridgewood Public Schools will have new tree canopies that not only improve the school environment but also offer educational opportunities for students to learn about sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
This initiative reinforces New Jersey’s commitment to green infrastructure and climate-smart communities.
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Remove astro turf and plant grass.
LOL
Plant them over here.
Cut them down over there.
Totally agree. What insanity.
Climate change? Really?
Please stop with the “climate change” nonsense!
A thousand dollars per tree. Swell.
to plant trees there is a 4.5 million dollar grant through out the state but Healthbarn and Feed the frontlines got $4 million given just to Healthbarn and no one knows where it went? sounds Bizarre
Like we said, if this goes through, you know who’s doing the job again and again, enough of this dirty politics. Same thing with the Christmas tree enough. Plant a real nice tree there and let it grow. Stop with this bullshit. Oh I’ll get you a tray and put it up and take it down, but you’re going to give me XYNZ. Wink, wink wink.