Through our planting programs, we increase the urban tree canopy and educate residents to plant and maintain climate-ready trees in urban areas across New Mexico, including those in urban heat islands.Tree New Mexico facilitates 10-15 tree plantings each year with staff and trained volunteers leading volunteer groups. So far, we have planted and given away trees in Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Santa Fe, Socorro and Las Cruces. Plans for plantings are underway for Gallup, Farmington, and Santa Rosa.
Everyone involved in a Tree New Mexico’s planting learns to care for their tree and to appreciate the benefits it will provide for their communities and our environment.



A wild Arizona sycamore (Platanus wrightii) in Las Animas Creek, NM. Photo by Aidan Hendrickson, special thanks to Ray Itturalde.
Benefits of Trees:
-OXYGEN needed to sustain human life.
-SHADE for a peaceful place to rest.
-FOOD for pollinators, wildlife, & humans
-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS- wood, paper, etc.
-COOLING TO CITIES & HOMES by reducing the heat island index
-STORMWATER MANAGEMENT by absorbing water into the ground.
-NORMALIZED WATER CYCLES- increases “regular” rain events.
-WATER FILTRATION
-REDUCED POLLUTION
-PRIVACY & NOISE REDUCTION
-SOIL by providing organic matter in the form of leaves, branches, logs- they make their own food!
-SLOWED SOIL EROSION by holding the soil with their roots.
-STRESS REDUCTION which improves human health.
-CARBON SEQUESTRATION
-BEAUTY & so much more!