The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that the application period for the Trees for Tribs’ “Buffer in a Bag” program is now open. Qualifying private and public landowners may apply for a free bag of 25 tree and shrub seedlings for planting near streams, rivers or
lakes to help stabilize banks, protect water quality, and improve wildlife habitat.

To qualify, landowners must have property in New York state with at least 50 feet bordering a stream, river or lake, and provide photos or a map of the planting location. Previous recipients are encouraged to reapply to continue to build riparian buffers. Applicants are eligible for one bag of 25 seedlings and recipients are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of 350 bags will be available statewide for this round of applications.

Landowners in the Hudson River Estuary watershed may be eligible for additional assistance with streamside planting projects. Seedlings are provided by DEC’s Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery. The Trees for Tribs program is managed by DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests and supported by the state’s Environmental Protection Fund, EPF.

Gov. Hochul’s 2022-23 Executive Budget proposes increasing the EPF from $300-$400 million, which would be the highest level of funding in the program’s history. The EPF provides funding for critical environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, enhanced recreational access, water quality improvement, and an aggressive environmental justice agenda.

Visit DEC’s website for more information about the Buffer in a Bag application process and requirements. Applications are due by 3 p.m. on April 11. Contact
treesfortribs@dec.ny.gov with questions and visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/77710.html#Bag to learn more.
(Submitted)