(07/13) TRENTON - Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson today announced free tree seedlings are available to nonprofit groups and local organizations to celebrate Arbor Day.

"Planting a tree and helping it grow can be an especially rewarding experience," Commissioner Jackson said. "Not only do trees beautify our neighborhoods, they also help improve the quality of our air and water."

The New Jersey Forest Service has been promoting Arbor Day statewide since 1949, when the New Jersey Legislature designated the last Friday in April as the official day to honor trees and the people who take care of them.

Provided by the state tree nursery in Jackson and funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, the 8-inch tube seedlings are packaged individually and available in boxes of 98 through April 6 or while supplies last.

Organizations requesting seedlings will receive either Eastern white pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir, Northern white cedar or Northern red oak - New Jersey's official state tree. Boxes are selected randomly.

To request a box of seedlings, organizations can complete an order form available on the DEP's Community Forestry Web site at www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/forest/community/index.html, or by calling (609) 292-2532.

Those interested in receiving more than one box are asked to make the seedling requests on their organization's letterhead. All orders should be mailed to: New Jersey Forest Service, Community Forestry Program, P.O. Box 404, Trenton, NJ 08625.

Shipping and handling is $6 for each box of free seedlings; checks can be made payable to the State of New Jersey, Forest Service. Orders can also be picked up at the state tree nursery, 370 E. Veterans' Highway, Jackson.