Resident group reports $22,000 grant and expanded tree-planting across Morristown schools

A resident speaker reported that the group secured a $22,000 grant last year to support tree planting at district schools, bringing more than 300 trees to four schools and contributing to a total of over 1,000 trees planted to date.

The speaker said the commission has evolved into a “highly skilled, highly educated team” focused on planting the right tree in the right place and concentrating on native species as part of reforestation and forestry generation efforts. She singled out team member Susan Landau (not present) and credited a sister organization—referred to in the remarks as “friends of foots pon wood”—for turning a lightly used public park into a well‑visited community asset.

She thanked the council, the mayor and municipal departments, including engineering and the department of public works, for ordinance support and hands‑on volunteering such as laying mulch, clearing vines and planting shrubs. The speaker urged continued resident involvement and volunteer labor to expand tree work into small forested areas attached to parks.

The meeting record shows no formal council action tied to the presentation; it functioned as a public comment/briefing and an expression of thanks to town staff and elected members. The speaker also acknowledged Ms. Bareric for facilitating the group’s vision.

Next steps for the group were not specified at the meeting; the speaker said the organization cannot complete reforestation without resident support and offered thanks to staff and council for ongoing assistance.