Master Tree Stewards of Union County Now Accepting Applications for 2026-2027 Season

Union County residents interested in volunteering and environmental education are invited to apply for the 4-H Master Tree Steward program this fall. According to Union County Commissioner Chair Joseph C. Bodek, "Master Tree Stewards are essential to this community. In addition to educating our youth about trees, they help young people understand the connection between responsible stewardship and its effects on future generations."

Master Tree Stewards are community volunteers who visit 4th grade classrooms each spring to present interactive lessons on trees. No prior experience is necessary, as all training and classroom materials are provided by the program.

The 2026 fall training series will meet every Wednesday from September 2nd to December 9th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., except for holidays falling on Wednesdays. The training consists of guided walks in nearby parks and nature reserves, easy reading assignments, indoor classes, and a simple project. An administrative fee of $35.00 covers the entire program, including a tree identification guide.

Upon completing the training series, participants obtain a Master Tree Steward certificate and become qualified to teach lessons to 4th grade classrooms. The program provides a complete lesson plan along with posters, seeds, and other supplies. Certified volunteers are requested to choose 6 dates for classroom visits, which are scheduled on Wednesdays from January to June, typically lasting one hour from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

To apply or for more information, contact Union County 4-H Youth Development Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 (ext. 3) or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org. The program is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County as part of a statewide program under the Rutgers New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station.

This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy against official sources.

Produced with AI assistance and reviewed against source records.