Press Releases
04/17/2026
DEEP to Celebrate Arbor Day in Communities Across Connecticut
Join DEEP at Events Across the State on April 24th to Celebrate the Valuable Role Trees Play in Connecticut Cities and Towns
(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) invites residents to celebrate the April 24th Arbor Day by joining tree-planting and community events taking place across the state over the next few weeks.
Many of these celebrations are part of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA Program, a national initiative that recognizes municipalities for their commitment to growing, protecting, and maintaining urban and community forests. This year, Connecticut is home to 23 Tree Cities, 3 Tree Campuses, and 4 Tree City Growth Award recipients through that initiative. The Town of Fairfield and City of Stamford continue to lead the state as the longest-standing Tree Cities, each with 38 years of participation.
“Trees are a critically important part of our ecosystem, playing a vital role in cleaning our air and water and providing habitat for wildlife,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “They also are essential in addressing climate change by absorbing carbon, reducing flooding and storm impacts, and cooling our communities during extreme heat. Expanding equitable tree cover across Connecticut is a priority of the Lamont Administration, and DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry Program continues to support municipalities through grants and technical assistance.”
In recognition of the many benefits that trees can provide in the state’s population centers, Connecticut passed legislation in 2023, proposed by Governor Lamont, that set a goal of increasing tree canopy cover in environmental justice communities across the state by 5% by 2040. Trees provide a wide range of benefits, including reducing heat and air pollution, managing stormwater, and storing carbon. Connecticut is the fourteenth most forested state in the nation and some of the highest percentage of urban tree cover in the country. However, more work remains to address disparities in tree cover throughout the state. disparities in tree cover throughout the state.
To achieve this goal, DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry Program has awarded 35 grants totaling more than $2.4 million to 25 municipalities since 2024. These investments will support the planting of more than 4,000 trees and shrubs, treatment of over 80 acres of invasive species, and engagement of more than 2,200 community members. In addition, the funding will support 10 tree inventories, 6 forest management plans, and approximately 160 workforce development positions. Funding for these grants was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service through the Inflation Reduction Act. Additional Urban and Community Forestry grants derived from the same federal funding source are expected to be announced later this spring.
Arbor Day is a time for communities, schools, businesses, and individuals to come together to recognize the value of trees. Activities across Connecticut will include tree planting, free tree giveaways, and educational events focused on proper tree care and the many benefits trees provide. While National Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday in April, many states celebrate on different dates that best align with local planting conditions. In Connecticut, Arbor Day is officially observed on April 24, when spring conditions are ideal for tree planting, although events span several weeks.
DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is expanding support for municipalities, nonprofits, community groups, and others who care for trees through a new Technical Assistance Program. This program provides free individualized advice and support to communities interested in assessing, planning for, and managing their trees and forests.
Additional information, including grant opportunities, can be found on DEEP’s Tree Cities webpage and DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry Program webpage.- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110