NYC counts every public tree only about once a decade, and this round of Trees Count has already drawn more than 2,500 volunteers to parks across the five boroughs. Here, Urban Park Rangers teach you how to identify, measure and assess trees, and your data goes straight into the city's official census. If you'd like to spend an outdoor morning doing something that actually counts, this is a way into Brooklyn's Jamaica Bay edge.
What to expect
Volunteers typically receive a tote bag of counting materials and a training session on tree identification basics and measuring and assessing tree health. Then small teams spread out across zones of the park to record trees in the Tree Census app. Most of the time is spent walking and working outdoors.
Good to know
- Registration through NYC Parks is required for Trees Count events
- Bring a charged phone, since data is entered in the Tree Census app
- Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants for walking on uneven park ground
- Bring water, sunscreen and bug spray for the shoreline park
- Check the NYC Parks event listing for the exact meeting point
- After training, volunteers are encouraged to keep counting trees in smaller parks near home
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Common questions
Do I need to know anything about trees?
No. Each event starts with training on tree identification and on measuring and assessing trees, and the Rangers supply the materials.
What is Trees Count?
It's NYC Parks' census of public street and park trees, done roughly every ten years since 1995. Volunteers survey park trees, and the city plans to map street trees with car-mounted LiDAR scanners.
Do I have to register?
Yes. Trees Count volunteer events need advance registration through NYC Parks.
