Trees New York Celebrates 50 Years of Planting, Preserving and Protecting the City’s Trees
Trees New York, one of New York City’s most enduring environmental nonprofits, celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special fundraiser at Festival Cafe NYC on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
The anniversary celebration brought together supporters, environmental advocates, civic leaders and friends of the organization for an evening honoring five decades of work dedicated to planting, preserving and protecting New York City’s urban forest.
Founded in 1976, Trees New York has built a citywide legacy rooted in education, volunteerism and community participation. Its programs include Citizen Pruner training, youth environmental literacy, tree plantings, stewardship initiatives and neighborhood greening projects across the five boroughs.
An Evening Supporting a Greener New York
The celebration featured an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and a look back at the organization’s past, present and future. Proceeds from the evening supported Trees New York’s programs and its continued work to strengthen the city’s tree canopy for future generations.
A special auction and raffle raised additional funds for the organization’s work, helping support its mission to engage New Yorkers in caring for the trees, parks, streetscapes, gardens and green spaces that shape daily life across the city.
A Call to Action for the Next Generation
“For 50 years, Trees New York has helped New Yorkers understand that trees are not just part of the landscape. They are essential infrastructure, community anchors and living symbols of resilience,” said Nelson Villarrubia, Executive Director of Trees New York. “This anniversary is both a celebration of what has been accomplished and a renewed call to action for the next generation of urban forest stewards.”
His remarks captured the importance of the milestone, which honored the organization’s long-standing impact while looking ahead to the next era of urban forestry, community education and environmental stewardship.
Looking Ahead to City of Forest Day
The milestone year comes as New York City prepares for the return of City of Forest Day on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Presented by Forest for All NYC in partnership with citywide organizations, the annual day of activities brings together communities, parks groups, environmental advocates and volunteers for a celebration of trees, parks, street plantings, community gardens and woodlands.
Trees New York will participate in City of Forest Day alongside its coalition partners at Forest for All NYC, continuing its work to inspire public participation in the care and protection of the city’s urban forest.
Planting, Preserving and Protecting the Urban Forest
Trees New York’s mission is to plant, preserve and protect New York City’s urban forest through education, active citizen participation and advocacy. One of its signature programs, the renowned Citizen Pruner initiative, trains New Yorkers in street tree care and gives residents the tools to become active stewards of their own neighborhoods.
The organization also supports youth environmental education, tree planting and stewardship initiatives designed to empower residents across the five boroughs. Through this work, Trees New York helps communities better understand the role trees play in public health, climate resilience, neighborhood beauty and quality of life.
A Shared Responsibility for the Future
As Trees New York enters its next half-century, the organization continues to champion a healthier, greener and more resilient city. Its work serves as a reminder that New York City’s urban forest belongs to everyone and that every resident has a role to play in protecting it.
With 50 years of impact behind it and a renewed commitment to the future, Trees New York remains a vital force in building a more sustainable city, one tree, one neighborhood and one community steward at a time.
About Trees New York
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, Trees New York, also known as TreesNY, is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit organization. TreesNY’s mission is to plant, preserve and protect New York City’s urban forest through education, active citizen participation and advocacy.
For more information, please visit www.treesny.org.
Press Contact
Norah Lawlor
Lawlor Media Group
www.lawlormediagroup.com
