SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (March 1, 2026) — Schools, youth organizations and homeschool groups across New York State can apply now to receive free tree and shrub seedlings from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation through its School Seedling Program at the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery.
The educational initiative offers participants free trees or shrubs along with guidance on how to plant and care for them, providing young people with “a hands-on way to understand natural systems, observe their environment, and learn key vocabulary.”
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis beginning in January and continuing until March 27 or when seedling stock runs out. Eligible organizations include all schools located within New York State — public, private, elementary, secondary, vocational, college or university — as well as youth education-based organizations and homeschool groups or associations. Individual family homeschools are not eligible.
The seedlings available through the program are typically 2 to 3 years old, about 4 to 12 inches tall and bare-root, according to DEC guidance. Seedling packets listed for the current program include 50 pitch pine, 50 red oak and 50 silky dogwood seedlings, with each species having specific growing preferences and space requirements.
“Planting and caring for tree seedlings can help young people learn about ecosystems and the valuable role that trees play,” a DEC description says. Trees planted through the program also count toward New York State’s goal of planting 25 million trees by 2033.
DEC encourages planting on site so that students can be responsible for the care and protection of the seedlings and notes that planting can be integrated into a wide range of scholastic programs.
Applications must be submitted by March 27 and can be completed online or by mail. Permission to plant at the chosen location should be secured before applying. A teacher or educator may submit only one application per organization, though schools or groups may submit up to two applications each.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.