Press Releases

Marking the beginning of a five-year program to plant over 2,000 trees in Central Queens through new green jobs, stewardship, and community participation

NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa today joined United States Senator Chuck Schumer, New York City Councilmember Shekar Krishnan, and members of the community to celebrate the first 450 trees planted in Central Queens as part of new five-year program expanding tree cover in neighborhoods in Queens that need it most. The ambitious program is funded by $5 million from the Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the USDA Forest Service, secured in 2023.

This joint project between City Parks Foundation, NYC Parks Tree Time, and Trees NY targets communities in Central Queens neighborhoods with lower tree canopy coverage, increasing tree planting to mitigate the harsh effects of extreme heat. The program will plant 2,000 trees by 2029, focusing on both NYC Parks property and areas outside of Parks jurisdiction—like community centers and schools—and will encourage community groups to join the pursuit of 30% citywide canopy coverage citywide. In addition to the new plantings, funding will also be used for green workforce development programs, offering the central Queens communities of Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and Corona opportunities to gain critical skills in growing fields.

“Trees are a critical resource for daily life for all New Yorkers, and this exciting new planting program in Central Queens underscores our commitment to increasing greenspace access and ensuring equitable canopy coverage for all,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “Trees are truly essential infrastructure, providing important benefits to our communities. By cleaning our air, cooling our city, and collecting stormwater, they keep New Yorkers safe and healthy every day. We are so proud to partner with the City Parks Foundation and Trees NY to make this vital progress in ecological restoration. Work like this ensures that future generations of Queens residents will have access to the critical environmental resources they deserve.”

“I am proud to see the record investment for urban trees I secured in the Inflation Reduction Act at work in the neighborhoods of New York City. Planting trees in our communities provides critical jobs, protects from extreme weather impacts, and improves basic quality of life for residents,’ said New York Senator Chuck Schumer. “I am honored to stand today in Jackson Heights as we plant the 450th tree and look forward to seeing many more."

"Today we celebrate over 2,000 trees being planted in Central Queens, thanks to the funding secured by Senate Minority Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand. As we battle against climate change deniers nationally, in New York, we're sending a message loud and clear: we're committed to expanding the urban tree canopy, fighting against the urban heat island effect, and protecting our communities from the effects of climate change. And, as federal agencies are being gutted, we're creating jobs and securing the future of NYC families. I'm proud to be a part of this program that provides workforce development and ensures Jackson Heights and Elmhurst will get the tree cover that will let our children play safely outside," said Council Member Shekar Krishnan, District 25.

In efforts to include applicants from various educational backgrounds and work histories, the workforce grant funding is using a tiered system of internships, apprenticeships, and early-career positions. Multiple training tracks are available for new hires including forest restoration, monitoring, and community stewardship. The five-year length of the program improves potential for job security and advancement opportunities for all participants.

Parks has also received a separate $10 million IRA grant to create pathways to employment in natural resource management while improving the health and resiliency of forested parkland. Announced in September 2023 and secured by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, this federal grant supplements critical natural areas funding from the Adams administration in recent years, including $100 million in wetland restoration projects, $136 million in public greenspace funding, and $80 million in open space acquisition to increase greenspace access for New Yorkers.