Virtual Right Tree Right Place seminar!

Public Service Electric & Gas and The New Jersey Tree Foundation are offering 2 FREE seminars on Thursday, September 22 & September 29 via Zoom. Please RSVP by Friday September 19th to Jay.Kaplan@PSEG.com

Topics for 9/22 include:

  • Tree Safety & Storms: The Aftermath
  • Sustainability & Resilience: Storms, Pests, Inventory & Management

Topics for 9/29 include:

  • Utility Line Clearance – Why?
  • Tree selection, proper planting & maintenance

Who should attend? Mayors, Freeholders, DPW Supervisors, Environmental & Shade Tree Commissioners, County Officials and any other interested parties.

Date: September 22

Time: Program starts promptly at 9:30 am and runs until 11:00 am.

Date: September 29

Time: Program starts promptly at 2:00 pm and runs until 3:30 pm.

CEUs will be available which have included in the past: State of NJ, ISA, NJ Dept of Community Affairs, and NJ Board of Tree Experts

Please RSVP by September 19th to Jay.Kaplan@PSEG.com

(The zoom link will be emailed to all those registered)

If you would like send a representative(s), please include their names and contact information (email address).

Summer 2022 TreeKeepers Workshops

Volunteers pruning a tree at Shane Chapman Park in Gloucester City.
Are you looking to learn all about trees and how to care for them? If so, please join us for our virtual TreeKeeper’s workshop! TreeKeeper’s teaches attendees all about tree identification, environmental benefits of trees, and proper pruning and mulching techniques. Three Zoom sessions will each cover a different topic. Please feel free to attend whichever sessions interest you or work for your schedule. 1 CEU credit will be awarded for each session that is attended live, as well as the pruning events. Please see below for the schedule:

Zoom Sessions:
July 13th, 12pm – Session 1: Tree Identification and Hazardous Trees
July 20th, 12pm- Session 2: Environmental Benefits of Trees
July 27th, 12pm – Session 3: Tree Planting & Maintenance

Please use this form to register for the sessions. For any questions, please email Crystal at cwessel@njtreefoundation.org. Hope to see you there!

Grant Writer/Development Coordinator Job Announcement

Part-time grant writer/development coordinator. Position is 24 hours per week, telecommuting, permanent.

Salary range: $36,500-$38,000 with benefits

Position Overview: The New Jersey Tree Foundation is a statewide, 501 c3 nonprofit dedicated to planting trees in New Jersey’s most urban areas, where the need is greatest. The part-time grant writer will be responsible for identifying, cultivating and raising funds from foundations, corporations, state and federal sources along with pursuing individual gifts. The position involves coordination between the Executive Director and Tree Foundation staff to gather information into varied proposal formats in a timely fashion to meet both grant submission and reporting deadlines. Success in this position will be measured by the number of grants submitted and awarded as well as the dollar amount of each grant, and various other measurements.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Identify and research granting institutions to approach throughout the year.
  • Research funding opportunities from federal and state agencies, private corporations, private foundations, corporations, and individuals.
  • Research & implement fundraising campaigns that will benefit the NJ Tree Foundation.
  • Write and submit LOIs, proposals, and funder reports in a timely manner. If you thrive on waiting until the last minute, this position is not for you.
  • Develop communication materials to keep funders engaged.
  • Create and implement one end-of-year and one spring giving campaign.
  • Assist staff in various grant writing and development activities.
  • Track and acknowledge donations from funders and individuals.
  • Create grant highlights for funded grants.
  • Assist with public relations.
  • Assist with updates for NJ Tree Foundation website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram pages as needed
  • Conduct a midpoint and a year-end evaluation, reflection and planning guide for next fiscal year fundraising.
  • Update grants management database. Update records of grant deadlines and submissions.
  • Update and maintain on-line resources ie. Great NonProfits, Guide Star and others as relevant.
  • Strengthen relationships with current funders to ensure continued support. Cultivate positive relationships with funding sources.
  • Prepare materials for funder meetings, board & staff meetings and grant reports.
  • Any & all projects and tasks as assigned by the Executive Director/NJTF Board.

Knowledge and skills:

  • Strong written communication skills; ability to write clear, structured, articulate and persuasive proposals.
  • Strong editing skills.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Ability to work productively on your own.
  • Ability to meet deadlines.
  • Knowledge of fundraising information sources.
  • Experience with proposal writing and institutional donors.
  • Knowledge of basic fundraising techniques and strategies.
  • Knowledge and familiarity with research techniques for fundraising prospect research.
  • Strong contributor in a team environment.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum two years grant writing experience.
  • Previous experience with non-profit fundraising.
  • Able to work well individually, with a team and able to handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
  • Able to monitor and meet income goals.

Salary range: $36,500-$38,000

Pro-rated vacation, sick and holiday PTO, health insurance

Professional development opportunities

If interested, please send resume, cover letter and grant writing sample to: Lisa Simms, Lsimms@njtreefoundation.org.

Posted June 7, 2021. Accepting applications on a rolling basis until position is filled.

Tree Crimes

Tree Crimes

It is so easy to find tree crimes on any given day in New Jersey. Here are just a few that we have come across over the years. It is unfortunate that we have so many landscapers that do not take the time to learn the proper way to plant, mulch and maintain our community forest. We hope that will continue to change with NJ’s licensing bill that requires tree care companies to have a Licensed Tree Expert on staff, follow ANSI guidelines, and continue to learn the proper techniques for tree care.

Read more

Emancipation Oak

Emancipation Oak

You will find the Emancipation Oak at the entrance of Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. Fitting, since under the tree’s vast shade, Mrs. Mary Peake, a freed slave, taught lessons to newly freed men and women. Most significant, the first southern reading of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation happened here, under the Emancipation Oak in 1863. With a trunk that is 16 feet around and a 100-foot wide canopy, the Emancipation Oak is a great place to learn our history while staying socially distanced.

Read more

June Fruit Drop

June Fruit Drop

June fruit drop, which sometimes happens at the end of May in NJ, is the natural occurrence for some trees like peach, plum and apple to drop immature fruit. But that doesn’t make it any easier to experience. Watching dozens of your precious peaches or apples fall to the ground before they ever grow up can be unsettling until you realize it is healthy for the tree.

Read more