Verona Public Schools is honored to receive $51,705 in grant funding from the Trees for Schools program. As a collaboration between the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Sustainable Jersey, and The College of New Jersey, Trees for Schools supports districts in purchasing and planting trees across their campuses.

 “We are incredibly grateful to receive the $51,705 Trees for Schools grant. This funding will enable us to plant trees that not only enhance the beauty of our campuses but also play a crucial role in mitigating the urban heat island effect and reducing the impacts of rising temperatures due to climate change,” said Superintendent Diane DiGiuseppe, who wrote the grant in collaboration with Carol Thomas.

The grant will cover the costs of purchasing and planting trees, in addition to planning, site preparation, watering, monitoring, and maintaining sites for three years. Moving forward, Verona Public Schools officials will work with the program’s project team to develop their design and participate in tree-planting workshops.

The first plantings are expected to begin in spring 2026. 

Read the full press release here