Franklin Park Zoo is encouraging local children to embrace their inner arborists by planting trees in their own backyards. In partnership with Neighborhood Forest, Zoo New England’s Franklin Park Zoo is hosting a tree giveaway program over April school vacation week. This program was funded through a grant generously provided by Liberty Mutual, which is supporting ZNE’s nature-based solutions for climate resiliency.

This giveaway aims to encourage sustainable urban development by nurturing green space in Dorchester and Roxbury, as well as Greater Boston. Caregivers are encouraged to sign up youth to receive a tree sapling, which will be distributed on April 20, 21 and 22 at Franklin Park Zoo. At the tree pickups, participating children will learn about tree planting methods, care and maintenance from the Zoo’s horticulture team, before bringing the small sapling home for planting.

These giveaways will be distributed to children in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Greater Boston. Caregivers can register their youth for tree giveaways at www.neighborhoodforest.org/parent-registration/?school=98115.

Registration Deadline: March 15, 2025
Pick-up date: April 20 – 22, 2025 at Franklin Park Zoo
Where: Tree pickups will take place outside of Franklin Park Zoo’s Giraffe Entrance.