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Million Trees NYC - A PlaNYC initiative with NYC Parks and New York Restoration Project
MillionTreesNYC Training Program

Million Trees NYC  Training Program logo

The MillionTreesNYC Training Program is the "green jobs" component of the initiative, supporting tree planting and care. The program helps work towards a more environmentally sustainable healthy living for the future through a 7-month green-collar job course of training that is specifically designed to teach, educate and motivate young adults to become more aware and proactive in the wellness of the environment while jointly gaining employment and life skills.

The MillionTrees Training Program provides intensive training in two specific fields: Arboriculture and Ecological Restoration. Provided below is a brief description of each field of work in order to better understand our program logistics:

MTTP Arboriculture Track:
This field works with the Forestry Divisions of NYC Parks, Central Park Conservancy and the Prospect Park Alliance to prune, climb and care for trees. It puts to work acquired tree stewardship, pruning and planting techniques, as well as tree identification and inspection skills.

MTTP Ecological Restoration Track:
This field works with the Natural Resources Group, NYC Parks, Central Park Conservancy and the Prospect Park Alliance in the protection, restoration and management of natural areas of NYC. Projects include erosion control, manual and chemical aquatic and terrestrial invasive plant removal, and green roof installation. The Ecological Restoration Track also supports community-led or sponsored restoration, greening and cleanup projects.

The MillionTree Training Program also provides a host of top quality technical training by which each trainee is certified.

Trainings and Certifications consist of:

  • Trees New York Citizen Pruner and Climber/Pruner Certificates
  • Pesticide/Herbicide Application Apprentice NYC DEC
  • Heavy Equipment Training
  • TREE FUND Chainsaw Training
  • TREE FUND Climber/Pruner Training

Throughout the 7 months of green job training, trainees are also engaged in Life Skills Training. These include developing skills related to the practices of Healthy Living, Time Management, Financial Planning, and Customer Service/Conflict Resolution. We believe Life Skills Training, in addition to the Green Field Technical training, will build up the trainee and develop them into a well rounded individual for their future career path.

The MillionTrees Training Program also offers Driver's License Education through which we train young adults to receive their Drivers license and/or Commercial Drivers License.

Read more about the MillionTreesNYC Training Program in the news!

Supporting Success: Making the Transition to Green Collar Jobs

In June 2010, MillionTreesNYC, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the NYC Center for Economic Opportunity, hosted a 'Supporting Success' symposium as a forum to inform employers as well as MillionTreesNYC Training Program staff on the challenges involved, and steps required to make a successful transition from poverty and public assistance into a long-term, self-sustaining green job. Training crew leaders and individuals who work directly with trainees in the field attended workshop sessions on topics including continuing education, workplace issues, and economic mobility. Guest speakers included representatives from the NYC Department for the Aging, Child Welfare and Workforce Development Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, US Department of Labor, CUNY City College, the Mental Health Association of NYC, and the New York City Housing Authority.

Download the 'Supporting Success: Making the Transition to Green Collar Jobs' Workshop Report (PDF, 970KB)

MillionTreesNYC Trainees Class of 2009-2010 in Action