{"id":46415,"date":"2025-12-18T10:11:30","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T15:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=46415"},"modified":"2025-12-18T10:11:30","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T15:11:30","slug":"marylands-5-million-trees-program-surpasses-1-5-million-trees-planted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2025\/12\/18\/marylands-5-million-trees-program-surpasses-1-5-million-trees-planted\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland\u2019s 5 Million Trees Program Surpasses 1.5 Million Trees Planted"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 555,330 Added in FY2025 Toward 2031 Goal<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"Several<\/a>

Gov. Wes Moore and First Lady Dawn Moore help plant trees with Maryland Conservation Corps members during a tree planting in April 2025 at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. Maryland DNR photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Maryland\u2019s 5 Million Trees program has reached more than 1.5 million native trees planted, marking a major milestone and reflecting strong momentum toward reaching the state\u2019s ambitious goal of planting 5 million trees by 2031.<\/span><\/p>\n

More than 555,330 trees were planted in Fiscal Year 2025, according to a new annual <\/span>report<\/span><\/a> prepared for the Maryland General Assembly. Plantings done by organizations and individuals other than the state were more than 5 times higher than the year before as many more Marylanders reported their tree plantings on the <\/span>website<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been encouraging Marylanders to \u2018Plant a Tree, Make it Count, and Breathe Easier,\u2019\u201d said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. \u201cEvery tree makes our state healthier and more resilient, and this milestone underscores our shared commitment to a stronger environment for generations to come.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Trees are a powerful tool for climate action. They store carbon, cool neighborhoods, protect waterways, and improve air quality, making them an essential part of the state\u2019s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience. The initiative is a partnership between the Maryland departments of environment, natural resources, transportation, agriculture, as well as the Chesapeake Bay Trust and other nonprofit groups.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTrees strengthen our communities and provide cleaner water, cooler temperatures, and healthier ecosystems,\u201d said Secretary Josh Kurtz of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. \u201cPlanting 5 million trees is an ambitious goal, and we\u2019re well on our way to achieving it. The hard work of the Maryland Forest Service, our many partners, and Maryland citizens makes that possible, and we\u2019re excited to get even more trees in the ground next year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Progress in Fiscal Year 2025 includes:<\/span><\/p>\n