[OYAN] Neighborhood Forest: Free Trees for Youth

[MAURER Jennifer * SLO]

Please pardon the cross-posting. Hi, folks. Staff in your school or library may be interested in participating in the Neighborhood Forest program that gives free trees and plants to youth. Details are below in the email from Josie Hanneman from Deschutes Public Library who has participated in the program. - Best, Jen (Jen Maurer, School Library Consultant, State Library of Oregon, jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov>)

From: Libs-Or <libs-or-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> On Behalf Of Josie Hanneman via Libs-Or
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2025 3:14 PM
To: libs-or at omls.oregon.gov
Cc: RUMAGE Jamie * ODE
Subject: [Libs-Or] Neighborhood Forest free tree program

Greetings library folks!

I wanted to do a quick share on an organization called Neighborhood Forest<https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/>. They give free trees and plants to youth in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. By partnering with local organizations, like libraries and schools, they have a wide reach. Deschutes has partnered with them on both their free tree program, and their free plant program, and we've been really happy with the results! If you're interested in increasing the tree canopy, getting kids excited about plants, or participating in a great program, this is a great opportunity.

>From the looks of this map<https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/map-plot/>, many of you already know about the program, but I wanted to spread the word a little wider.

Here's how it works: you register your institution<https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/school-registration/> in January, and get a registration link to share with parents/guardians/caregivers. They sign their 0-18 year-old- up for a free tree before the March deadline, and in April you receive a box (or 20) or free trees. There's a lot more information in their program guide<https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/coordinator-program-guide/>. It's fairly straightforward and has some great community benefits!

But...there are challenges and drawbacks:

  *   You may have to chase people down to pick up their trees. They forget they registered and don't read reminder emails. (Not a problem for schools as you can just send them home with students...)
  *   Because of the above, even with your best efforts, you may end up with extra trees that you have to find homes for. I shared ours at local food pantry pick up sites, and with garden groups.
  *   Their system is to send a single species to each state. That means all of Oregon gets a single type of tree. Last year we received Antonovka apple trees, not so bad. The year previous it was Doug firs, not good for the dry side of the state. You have no choice as to what you'll receive.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. I think it's a great program and I'd love to have it grow. It can be a lot of work...but I find it worth it!

I'd also love to hear from anyone who has done the program, and has any tips for me.

Thanks all,
Josie

Josie Hanneman
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Community Librarian
Deschutes Public Library
541.312.1088
http://www.deschuteslibrary.org<http://www.deschuteslibrary.org/>

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