Trenton N.J. – The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has awarded the New Jersey Conservation Foundation with $1.3 million for their Throwin’ Shade: Greening the Capital City grant application, which will plant 1,000 trees throughout Trenton’s streets. Trees will be planted as part of NJDEP’s Natural Climate Solutions Grant Program.
“We are excited to partner with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation and plant 1,000 trees throughout Trenton,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. We are grateful to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for investing in the Capital City, protecting our natural resources, and collaborating with us so that we can do our part in the global fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The New Jersey Conservation Foundation will work with a coalition that includes the City of Trenton, Isles, the New Jersey Tree Foundation, the Watershed Institute, and the Outdoor Equity Alliance to enhance Trenton’s urban tree canopy. This project will plant a total of 1,000 trees on city streets that have few to no trees and in Cadwalader and Mill Hill parks that have experienced heavy losses of trees due to age and disease. This project will sequester carbon, increase the urban tree canopy, and mitigate the urban heat-island effect, stormwater runoff, and poor water and air quality in Trenton.
Councilwoman Jennifer Williams (North Ward) added, “This is a great week for residents in the North Ward and across Trenton: I look forward to further collaboration with my fellow Trentonians, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, and NJDEP on climate solutions that provide quality-of-life benefits.”
This funding underscores the important role natural resources play in sequestering carbon to meet the Garden State’s greenhouse gas goals. “This grant is an investment in our city’s green infrastructure and its people. We now have an opportunity to not only plant trees, but also engage the community in the long-term care that will ensure these trees thrive for the benefit of future generations,” said New Jersey Conservation Foundation Co-Executive Director Jay Watson.
Meeting the state’s 2050 goal of an 80 reduction in greenhouse gases below 2006 levels requires an acceleration of the restoration of our shorelines, forests, and urban spaces. It is estimated that these projects will sequester 32,710 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2050
“With Governor Phil Murphy's vision and leadership, New Jersey is waging its fight against climate change on multiple fronts,” said Commissioner LaTourette.