INFORMATION FOR
William Paterson University in Wayne has been awarded a Trees for Schools grant of nearly $250,000 which will fund the planting of native trees and the creation of shaded outdoor learning and gathering spaces across campus.
“William Paterson is grateful to be awarded a Trees for Schools grant,” says President Richard J. Helldobler. “Our beautiful campus helps create a great educational and working environment for our students and employees, as well as serving as an outdoor laboratory and classroom, especially for environmental science and public health faculty and students. This funding will help support the work of these academic programs while also further enhancing campus aesthetics and climate resiliency.”
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.
The project is directed by William Paterson professors Nicole Davi, environmental science, and Marianne Sullivan, public health, in collaboration with James Shelley, the University’s associate vice president for administration, as well as the institution’s physical plant operations team.
“This grant will significantly advance our efforts to recognize, expand, and steward the trees on our William Paterson campus, enhancing both environmental and educational outcomes,” says Davi, who adds that environmental science students will be actively involved in the project through coursework and extracurricular research such as conducting a campus-wide forest inventory, mapping existing and newly planted trees using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, estimating species diversity and richness, and calculating carbon storage over time. “These hands-on learning opportunities will enrich student understanding of urban forestry, climate mitigation, and biodiversity, while contributing real data to long-term campus sustainability goals.”
The project also will enhance the public health curriculum by adding to and extending learning modules covering the importance of trees to public health, says Sullivan. “In our undergraduate Environmental Determinants of Health course, we address the ways in which trees promote and enhance both mental and physical health,” she says. “We intend to extend the curriculum on the mental health benefits of trees and green spaces, including the role that native trees play in supporting pollinators, the health benefits of fruit and nut trees, and the ways in which Indigenous people use and have used native trees over time.”
The University plans to plant approximately 150 trees through the grant, including native species that produce edible fruit and nuts. Efforts will be made to plant trees in numerous locations on the main campus near parking lots to reduce heat island impacts and where possible near buildings to provide shade and reduce the need for air conditioning and associated carbon emissions.
The grant will cover costs associated with the purchase and planting of the trees including planning, site preparation, watering, monitoring, and maintenance over a three-year period. The tree plantings are scheduled for spring 2026.
“We are committed to maintaining these trees for at least the next 10-plus years, thanks to our dedicated grounds maintenance team and our established systems for tree care, “says Shelley. “We look to ensure long-term care and stewardship for future generations.”
The project aligns closely with ongoing faculty-led research at William Paterson focused on forest health, climate change, and native species restoration. The University is currently collaborating with the American Chestnut Foundation and SUNY-ESF to grow pure American chestnut trees on campus as part of a broader effort to restore this iconic species. Additionally, Professor Davi’s research in regional forests, including the Catskills and coastal forests of New Jersey and New York, examines how climate extremes are impacting tree growth and forest resilience. The expanded campus forest at William Paterson will provide additional research opportunities where students can directly engage in data collection and analysis, and forest stewardship.
