The Nature Conservancy Launches Groundbreaking Nursery Incubation Program to Support New York’s Ambitious Reforestation Goals

As New York State sets its sights on reforesting 1.7 million acres with 680 million trees by 2040, a challenge has emerged: a significant shortage of seedlings. This summer, The Nature Conservancy launched a new initiative to address this bottleneck—a first-of-its-kind nursery incubation program designed to increase seedling production and strengthen the reforestation supply chain. In its inaugural year, The Nature Conservancy has accepted two nurseries into the incubation program—Native Forest Nursery and Swiftwater: Organic Farmstead and Reserve.

Through the program, selected nurseries must first undergo a rigorous review process to receive funding, ranging from $50,000 and $300,000, to expand their operations. The Nature Conservancy also guarantees future sales of their seedlings two to three years down the line, for use in its large-scale reforestation projects. This forward-looking commitment reduces financial risk and incentivizes nurseries to make long-term investments in seedling production. It gives them the confidence to scale up now, knowing their investment will pay off.

“Without seedlings, we can’t plant trees—and without trees, we can’t meet our climate and conservation goals. It’s that simple,” said Mandy St. Hilaire, Reforestation Manager at The Nature Conservancy. “It’s essential that nurseries are included in the reforestation planning process, not just at the point of seedling sale. They play a critical role in the success of our efforts, and the earlier they’re involved in scaling discussions—discussions we’re having thanks to this new program—the greater our chances of planting millions of trees.”

As the selected nurseries, Native Forest Nursery and Swiftwater: Organic Farmstead have committed to delivering over 100,000 trees to Nature Conservancy-led reforestation projects in New York between 2027-2028. While each nursery will scale its operations differently, both are committed to investing in innovative methods for growing more seedlings, expanding capacity for native tree seed collection, and hiring and supporting both full-time and seasonal staff.

“Reforestation means a lot to us—not just because we care deeply about New York, but because it supports local livelihoods and connects us with an incredible community of people who are passionate about this work,” shared Chad Casselman from Native Forest Nursery. “It’s a privilege to be part of something that benefits the environment and future generations. Plus, who doesn’t love planting trees and imagining the impact each one will have over its lifetime?”

The benefits of large-scale reforestation are well-documented: cleaner air and water, enhanced wildlife habitat, reduced flooding and significant carbon sequestration. But achieving these outcomes requires more than good intentions. It demands a complete reimagining of the reforestation economy—from growing seedlings and planning with partners, to engaging private landowners, planting trees, and ensuring they remain healthy and thriving for years to come.

The Nature Conservancy’s Nursery Incubation Program aims to serve as a replicable model for other states facing similar challenges. By investing in the early stages of the reforestation pipeline, the program ensures that when it’s time to plant, the seedlings will be ready.

“Our experience working with The Nature Conservancy has been nothing short of fantastic,” shared Mitchell Gunther and Kyle Townsend from Swiftwater: Organic Farmstead and Reserve. “What stands out most is The Nature Conservancy’s genuine commitment to supporting conservation through small farms like ours. It’s an honor to be part of this effort.”

The Nature Conservancy is also partnering with New York landowners to accelerate tree planting efforts on-the-ground. In May, the organization partnered with local landowners and the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District to plant 15,000 trees across 30 acres within a matter of weeks.

“By pairing immediate action with a long-term vision, The Nature Conservancy is cultivating a greener, more resilient New York,” shared Dr. Michelle Brown, Senior Conservation Scientist and Director of Natural Climate Solutions at The Nature Conservancy in New York. “As the saying goes, ‘The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best time is now.’ The Nature Conservancy is making sure New York is ready to plant—not just today, but for generations to come.”

In October, The Nature Conservancy has announced it is offering a second round of Nursery Incubation Program funding to build on the success of the first year of the program. Interested applicants can click here for more information about how to apply.