New York launches ‘Tree Tracker’ as part of quest for 25 million trees

The State of New York last week announced the launch of two new interactive tools for recording and tracking the number of trees planted as part of a climate initiative to reach 25 million trees by 2033.

Developed by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation and its Office of Information Technology Services, the Tree Tracker allows state agencies and private organizations and individuals to report the number and location of trees planted, as well as planting dates, species and tree size.

“New York is taking decisive action to protect our environment and strengthen communities’ ability to withstand severe weather,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in the press release. “Our progress toward the 25 Million Tree goal is a testament to the power of community-driven action, and the new Tree Tracker will make it easier for New Yorkers to track our progress, share updates and contribute to a healthier environment for the future.”

Hochul declared the 25 Million Trees Initiative in her State of the State address last year. It draws $32 million in funding from 2022 legislation called the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, to track forestation efforts in New York. It also takes $15 million from the executive budget to support reforestation projects, such as modernizing the state’s tree nursery.

In addition to the tree-tracking tool, New York also created the 25 Million Trees website for information on how to care for and plant trees, along with resources for more technical assistance. The website also has an interactive map of planting projects that tallies trees planted by region, county and municipality.

According to the website, New York has planted 127,382 new trees since the start of last year. Only trees planted after 2023 count toward the statewide total.

“The Tree Tracker will empower New Yorkers to share their stories with us as our partners in this historic effort, which will have a lasting impact on the environment,” Sean Mahar, interim commissioner at the Department of Environmental Conservation said in the press release.

Several other states have similar tree planting goals, including Delaware, Maryland and Wisconsin. In 2024, Maryland had planted about 500,000 new trees as part of a state initiative to plant 5 million trees by 2031. More than 180,000 trees were planted in 2023, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Through work with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the state aims to plant one million trees by 2030, with the government funding seven new projects to push its total count over 200,000 trees at the end of last year.

In 2021, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order pledging to plant 75 million trees by 2030. Three years later, with the state having planted more than 32 million trees, Evers signed another executive order announcing that the state is increasing its pledge to 100 million trees by 2030.