Introduction

New York just pulled off a major flex in its mission to plant 25 million trees by 2033 with the launch of Tree Tracker—a next-level tool that turns planting trees into a community-powered project. Governor Kathy Hochul dropped the news, framing it as part of a broader campaign by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to restore forests, fight climate change, and give regular folks a chance to get their hands dirty (in the best way possible).

So, What Exactly Is Tree Tracker?

Think of it as your tree-planting command center. The Tree Tracker lets individuals, organizations, and agencies log every tree they plant, along with vital details like planting dates, species, and exact locations. All that data gets added to a living, interactive map that tracks progress across the state, breaking it down by region, county, and city.

The coolest part? Anyone can check the map to see how the green wave is spreading. Not sure how to plant a tree without accidentally murdering it? The site’s loaded with resources empowering everyone to become a tree-planting pro.

Governor Hochul nailed it when she called this project “a testament to the power of community-driven action.” This isn’t just about trees; it’s about climate resilience, cleaner air, restoring habitats, and making New York’s cities less of a concrete oven. Also worth noting: this initiative connects to the Great Lakes region’s ambitious goal of planting 250 million trees by 2033. Big collab energy.

DEC Selling Trees for Cheap!

The DEC’s annual seedling sale is in full swing, offering affordable, New York-grown seedlings through May 14. It’s all about keeping the momentum going, backed by funds from the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which will modernize tree nurseries and ramp up reforestation projects statewide.

Why Tree Tracker Matters

Tree Tracker is a game-changer for transparency and verification. Every tree logged adds to a growing database that keeps the entire effort accountable and visible to the public. Want to see how many trees were planted in your county? Done. Curious how close New York is to hitting its 25-million-tree goal? Check the map.

By tracking progress in real time, the state ensures that every sapling counts, while giving communities the data they need to plan smarter, greener futures. This isn’t about vague promises—it’s about measurable impact and hard numbers. And if New York can do it, there's no reason in our minds why other states, countries and NGO's can't do it too.

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