July 18, 2025
Metuchen School District to Plant Trees with $167,880 “Trees for Schools” Grant
Metuchen, NJ – Metuchen School District was awarded a $167,880 “Trees for Schools” grant to cover costs associated with the purchase and planting of trees, including planning, site preparation, watering, monitoring, and maintenance over a three-year period.
"We are honored to be recipients of the Trees for Schools grant from Sustainable Jersey. This initiative gives us the opportunity to plant trees that will provide shade, sequester carbon, and help mitigate the effects of climate change—benefiting both our environment and our school community. Our Tree Ambassadors, a dedicated group of students from Metuchen High School, under the direction of Yoko Kato, science educator, and Dr. Kenneth Sammond from the Metuchen shade tree commission, will play an active role in identifying suitable planting locations and supporting the project every step of the way. They have been an incredible asset to our district, and their leadership exemplifies the kind of environmental stewardship we hope to continue to inspire across our schools."
— Kate Lemerich, Secondary STEM Supervisor and District Sustainability Committee Co-Chair, Metuchen Public Schools
The Trees for Schools program is a joint effort of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Sustainable Jersey and The College of New Jersey. Funded by Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds, the Trees for Schools grant program will plant more than 4,500 trees at public schools, colleges, and universities across the state. These grants are part of the second round of funding through the program; the first round of grants were awarded in 2023 and resulted in the planting of nearly 3,000 trees at 33 school campuses.
“The planting of trees in urban areas is an incredible tool in our work to mitigate the impacts of climate change,” Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette said. “Expanding tree canopies at school campuses will make it easier for students, staff and residents to find shade on hot days while providing numerous environmental benefits. My DEP colleagues and I are proud to support this work to promote the importance of trees in fighting climate change.”
“The Trees for Schools grants make local sustainability real, practical, and achievable,” said Randall Solomon, director of Sustainable Jersey. “Congratulations to the schools, colleges, and universities awarded a grant. They are stepping up, taking advantage of resources, and showing that meaningful climate action isn’t an abstract idea. It’s happening now, in communities across New Jersey. We look forward to working with these schools to expand their tree canopy and provide students with rich educational opportunities and a vital connection to nature.”
The tree planting projects will increase shade coverage to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures due to climate change, beautify school campuses, mitigate and filter stormwater runoff, and reduce the state’s carbon footprint.
The Trees for Schools grant recipients will now work with the project team to develop their tree project design and will participate in tree-planting workshops. The tree plantings are scheduled for spring 2026. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/TreesforSchools