Upcoming Events
Browse all of our upcoming tours, presentations and volunteer events below, click on an event’s thumbnail to learn more and register.
Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation
Join us at Rough Point for an evening of gratitude, camaraderie, and inspiration.
Light refreshments served. You can RSVP for this event by clicking the link below.
RSVP
Miantonomi Reforestation Project
We need volunteers for our seventh year of reforestation efforts in Miantonomi Park!
The Newport Tree Conservancy is launching a 2 day volunteer planting initiative in Miantonomi Park 12:30 - 2:30 Friday and Saturday, and we need your help to reach our goal of planting 100 native trees!
Miantonomi Park, Newport’s largest forested area, is under serious threat from invasive understory species, which now cover approximately 80% of the park’s mature forest. Aggressive invaders such as English oak, Japanese knotweed, and bittersweet are rapidly overtaking the landscape, crowding out native species and disrupting the ecological balance.
For the past seven years, the Newport Tree Conservancy (NTC), in partnership with the Newport Public Services Department and community volunteers, has worked diligently to combat these invasive plants through targeted mowing and removal efforts.
Now, with the forest at a turning point, as aging native trees in decline and non-native species failing— NTC is moving forward with a reforestation project focused on a site in the central eastern and northern portion of the park. Thanks to secured funding, this next phase will help re-establish a healthy, resilient forest.
Between 2019 and 2024, NTC successfully planted more than 500 native trees, including red maple, tamarack, and yellow birch. These plantings are critical to restoring biodiversity and ensuring the long-term health of the park’s ecosystem.
Join us in this important effort to restore and protect Newport’s natural heritage. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Tools will be provided, please bring your own gloves if possible. T-shirts and refreshments will be provided for all volunteers.
All volunteers who are residents of Newport’s Health Equity Zone will receive a $25 gift card!
We hope to see you there!
For more information on our planting efforts in Miantonomi Park, visit the Miantonomi Project page under the “About” tab.
October Free Tree Walk: Broadway, Mann Ave., and Bull St.
Join us for the final tree walk of 2025, as we explore Broadway!
Beginning at the Town Hall, and venturing around Bull Street, Mt. Vernon Street, and Mann Avenue. Living Collections Manager Joe Verstandig will lead the group through the fall landscape, discussing the various trees and shrubs of displaying autumnal interest. Joe will discuss end of the season garden duties, including fall pruning, preparations for overwintering, and end of the season irrigation. This should be a great event to cap off another year of exploring Newport’s Urban Forest. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear, we will be walking a little over a half mile.
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps Miantonomi Park
Join us in Miantonomi Park to weed, prune, and mulch the trees in Newports largest forest!
We will be celebrating our last Tree Corps session with a planting of a tree from NTC'S tree nursery.
Please bring your own water and gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps Aquidneck Park
Join us for Tree Corps to care for the trees in AquidneckPark!
We are meeting in Aquidneck park on Saturday, October 11th to weed, prune, and mulch the trees.
Please bring your own water and gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Volunteer Event: Amica Newport Marathon
Join the Newport Tree Conservancy to support the athletes running in the Amica Newport Marathon!
Newport Tree Conservancy is delighted to be supporting athletes in the Amica Newport Marathon and we are ecstatic to be receiving support from Newport Marathon/Gray Matter Marketing to support our local cause. For this event we are seeking volunteers to help us tend to the race registration and finish line support.
Locations, dates, and times are listed below:
Friday, October 10th: Registration assistance - Five volunteers needed from 4:45 PM - 7:00 PM at Easton’s Beach
Saturday, October 11th: Registration assistance - Three volunteers needed from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM at Easton’s Beach
Sunday, October 12th: Finish line support - Four volunteers needed from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM & Four volunteers needed from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM at Easton’s Beach
Historic Preservation through Horticulture: Sweetgum Planting at Morton Park
Join us in Morton Park to celebrate and witness the Newport Tree Conservancy's first replacement planting with a clonal tree.
In September of 2024, one of Newport's Heritage Trees, a venerable American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) was lost during a weather event. The tree, which stood during the Olmsted firm's survey of the land in route to designing Morton Park, was estimated to be over 150 years old. In 2021, the Newport Tree Conservancy's horticulture team grafted this historic specimen, creating identical genetic copies or clones of this immense sweetgum. Seven trees are now over 6 feet tall in our nursery, with one fine tree selected to be planted as the in-kind replacement, thus preserving this historical landscape feature in perpetuity.
This is a free event. Everyone is welcome to attend this inaugural planting occasion.
Talking Trees: Seed Collecting
Join us for a discussion on tree seed collecting!
Fall is here and with it comes seed collecting season. Join Plant Production Manager, Morgan Palmer, at the Minnie Cushing Coleman Heritage Tree Nursery to talk about tree seed collecting. We will cover when a seed is ready to harvest, best gathering practices, and the general processing and storage of tree seeds to ensure good germination next year.
NTC Members: Free admission
Non-Members: $15
To park please follow signage and parking volunteers
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps Miantonomi Park
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees in Miantonomi Park!
Come hang with us at Miantonomi to weed, prune, and mulch for the trees in Newport's largest forest. Please bring your own water and gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Arboretum Tour & Workshop: Harbor House
Walk alongside us as we explore Harbor House Arboretum.
This historic property, with beautiful views of Narragansett Bay and the Pell Bridge, currently serves as an affordable homestead for senior citizens. The grounds hold a number of beautiful speceimnen trees, notably an impressive common horserchestunut tree, a towering London Planetree, Japanese stewartias, and the summer flowering Japanese Scholar Tree. For this arboretum public day event, we will tour the grounds, discuss some early autumn interest in the garden, recount some local history, and finish with a planting tutorial covering the basics for installing a shrub in the fall, specifically a native deciduous azalea.
NTC Members:Use your membership code to receive $5 off. The code can also be entered to get tickets two weeks before General Admission opens.
Non-Members:General admission opens to the public on September 17th. To become a member and gain access to early registration click here .
Please note this tour involves standing and walking for the duration of the program time.
We have reserved October 10th as a rain date in case of inclement weather.
Arboretum Tour: Bonniecrest
Join NTC for a tour of Bonniecrest Arboretum!
With sweeping views of the picturesque Newport Harbor, Bonniecrest is an ideal location for an arboretum. The historic Brick Tudor house, built in 1912, is surronded by many interesting and historic plantings that dot the Olmsted brother's landscape design. Interesting plants include a perfect specimen "Dwaft" Hinoki Falsecypress, Japanese umbrella pines, beech, oak, hemlock, and true cedars. NTC Living Collections Manager Joe Verstandig will lead the group and highlight standout trees, and give a short tutorial on pruning rhododendrons and azaleas.
We have reserved October 8th as our rain date for this tour.
Please dress for the weather, bringing water is recommended.
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps Miantonomi Park
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees in Miantonomi Park!
Come hang with us at Miantonomi to care for the trees in Newport's largest forest. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers thanks to our generous sponsors at The Landing, Lobster Bar, and Zelda's!
Please bring your own water and gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Arboretum Tour: Bellevue House
Join the Newport Tree Conservancy as we tour the breathtaking gardens of Bellevue House Arboretum!
Enjoy the landscape full of formal pollarded lindens, a traditional Japanese stroll and pond garden, and moss garden thriving under a natural sheltered space created by an immense Fernleaf Beech (Fagus sylvactica ‘Asplenifolia’). Bellevue House features a massive Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) that predates the house built in 1910 and is suspected to be the oldest and largest on Aquidneck Island. Other specimen trees include a magnificent Scots pine, massive English yews, Turkish oak, and a redleaf Japanese maple .
NTC Members: Use your membership code to receive $5 off. The code can also be entered to get tickets two weeks before General Admission opens.
Non-Members: General admission opens to the public on August 14th. To become a member and gain access to early registration click here.
Please note this tour involves standing and walking for the duration of the program time.
We have reserved Friday, September 26th as a rain date.
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps Miantonomi Park
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees in Miantonomi Park!
Come hang with us at Miantonomi to care for the trees in Newport's largest forest. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers thanks to our generous sponsors at The Landing, Lobster Bar, and Zelda's!
Please bring your own water and gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Free Tree Walk: Morton Park
Join us for a tour of one of the Olmsted firm’s many great landscape designs!
Morton Park is one of the finest open spaces in all of Newport, and the home of a plethora of great and interesting trees. For this tree tour, a focus will be placed on the history of the park and its flora, and enjoying the many fantastic specimen trees growing there. Living Collections Manager Joe Verstandig will touch on the work NTC has done in the park, which includes several new plantings, and the efforts of our dedicated volunteer group, Tree Corps. We will be covering a lot of ground on the walk, so please dress appropriately.
Arboretum Tour: Broadlawns
The Newport Tree Conservancy welcomes you for a guided tour of the grand property Broadlawns.
Broadlawns is an expansive, early 19th century bayside property with beautiful views and an inpsiring collection of trees, including several majestic beech trees dating back to the 19th centrury. A meadow path curves down to the historic "Point of Trees" location, a navigational landmark found on old maps. This grove of english elm trees is one of the most unique green spaces in Newport. Other plant material features include: noble Turkish trees, masssive rhododendrons, impressive Yoshino Japanese Cedars, and an array of flowering trees and shrubs.
NTC Members: Use your membership code to receive $5 off. The code can also be entered to get tickets two weeks before General Admission opens.
Non-Members: General admission opens to the public on August 21st. To become a member and gain access to early registration click here.
Please note this tour involves standing and walking for the duration of the program time.
We have reserved September 19th as a rain date in case of inclement weather.
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps Morton Park
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees in Morton Park!
We are seeking dedicated volunteers to help care for the beautiful trees at Morton Park in Newport, RI. As a volunteer, you'll help with tasks like pruning, planting, and general tree maintenance to ensure the health and longevity of the park's green spaces. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just love being outdoors, your contribution will help preserve this picturesque park for future generations to enjoy.
Lunch will be provided for all volunteers, thanks to the generous sponsorship of The Landing, Lobster Bar, and Zelda's by Patrick Kilroy!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Talking Trees
Join us for our first session of Talking Trees at our new location!
The Newport Tree Conservancy's trees have finished their relocation and are now housed at the freshly inaugurated Minnie Cushing Coleman Heritage Tree Nursery. Join Plant Production Manager Morgan Palmer for a tour of our new facilities. We will look at the new growing spaces available to us, see how this year's propagules are progressing, and take a closer look at some of the many trees we are growing there.
NTC Members: Free admission
Non-Members: $15
To park please follow signage and parking volunteers
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps Morton Park
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees in Morton Park!
We are seeking dedicated volunteers to help care for the beautiful trees at Morton Park in Newport, RI. As a volunteer, you'll help with tasks like pruning, planting, and general tree maintenance to ensure the health and longevity of the park's green spaces. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just love being outdoors, your contribution will help preserve this picturesque park for future generations to enjoy.
Lunch will be provided for all volunteers, thanks to the generous sponsorship of The Landing, Lobster Bar, and Zelda's by Patrick Kilroy!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps Pell Elementary School
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees at Pell Elementary School!
Come hang with us at Pell Elementary to care for the trees. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers thanks to our generous sponsors at The Landing, Lobster Bar, and Zelda's!
When signing up please be sure to accurately account for each volunteer in your group so we can ensure each volunteer receives a lunch.
Please bring your own water and gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Arboretum Tour: Oakwood
Come take a tour with NTC of the historic Oakwood Mansion!
Oakwood is a grand, mid 19th centrury estate located in the heart of the city of Newport. The property, five acres in total, is a plant lovers paradise! The arboretum has several different unique garden spaces, from the beech collection along Spring Street, to the wisteria arbor and laburnum walk, winding over to the attention grabing lily pond. The pond, a rectangular cement pool, contains several beautiful aquatic species including sacred water lotus and fantastic victorian lilys. A humbling fernleaf beech tree (Fagus sylvatica 'Asplenifolia') has the ability to bring one to their knees.
NTC Members: Use your membership code to receive $5 off. The code can also be entered to get tickets two weeks before General Admission opens.
Non-Members: General admission opens to the public on July 27th. To become a member and gain access to early registration click here [link to membership page].
Please note this tour involves standing and walking for the duration of the program time.
We have reserved August 29th as a rain date in case of inclement weather.
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps J Paul Braga Junior Memorial Park
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees in J Paul Braga Junior Memorial Park!
Come hang with us at J Paul Braga Junior Memorial Park to care for the trees. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers thanks to our generous sponsors at The Landing, Lobster Bar, and Zelda's!
When signing up please be sure to accurately account for each volunteer in your group so we can ensure each volunteer receives a lunch.
Please bring your own water and gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Arboretum Tour: Stonybrook
This is your chance to join the Newport Tree Conservancy on a tour of the beautiful seaside Stonybrook Arboretum!
This property boasts a 20th century Gothic Revival manor house on 4.8 acres filled with gorgeous collections. Plant highlights include an extensive beech collection, a host of conifers, mature oaks, and plants capable of thriving in the harsh maritime climate. The Sakonnet river and divergent small creek, which lends the Arboretum its name, are the perfect backdrop. Please dress for the weather and walking. Water is highly encouraged.
NTC Members: Use your membership code to receive $5 off. The code can also be entered to get tickets two weeks before General Admission opens.
Non-Members: General admission opens to the public on July 24th. To become a member and gain access to early registration click here.
Please note this tour involves standing and walking for the duration of the program time.
We have reserved August 22nd as a rain date in case of inclement weather.
Volunteer Event: Vernon Park
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees in Vernon Park
Come hang with us at Vernon Park to care for the trees. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers thanks to our generous sponsors at The Landing, Lobster Bar, and Zelda's!
When signing up please be sure to accurately account for each volunteer in your group so we can ensure each volunteer receives a lunch.
Please bring your own water and gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps Aquidneck Park
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees in AquidneckPark!
Come hang with us at Aquidneck Park to mulch and care for the trees. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers thanks to our generous sponsors at The Landing, Lobster Bar, and Zelda's!
When signing up please be sure to accurately account for each volunteer in your group so we can ensure each volunteer receives a lunch.
Please bring your own water and gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps Vernon Park
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees in Vernon Park!
Come hang with us at Vernon Park to care for the trees in Newport's largest forest. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers thanks to our generous sponsors at The Landing, Lobster Bar, and Zelda's!
When signing up please be sure to accurately account for each volunteer in your group so we can ensure each volunteer receives a lunch.
Please bring your own water and gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Evening of the Arboreta
The Newport Tree Conservancy
and
Minnie Cushing Coleman
invite you to the
EVENING OF THE ARBORETA
An intimate gathering among the trees - with music, drinks, and a shared love for Newport’s city-wide arboretum.
SOLD OUT
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps Morton Park
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees in Morton Park!
Spring is here! Get to know your local park and help us care for the local trees! No experience necessary, come get to know Tree Corps. Want to join us more regularly? Each week, we will be caring for Newport's city trees by mulching, pruning, and watering as needed. Volunteers are needed weekly for this recurring opportunity to make a difference in Newport's urban forest. Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Lunch will be provided for all volunteers, thanks to the generous sponsorship of The Landing, Lobster Bar, and Zelda's by Patrick Kilroy!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. Please bring your own water. No open-toed shoes.
Volunteer Event: Tree Corps Storer Park
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees in Storer Park!
Our Tree Corps sessions this month are generously sponsored by BankNewport 🌳💚 Thank you for supporting community-rooted care!
Join us Saturday morning at Storer Park to mulch, weed, and prune trees—then relax under that shade of the trees and a delicious lunch, generously provided by The Landing, Lobster Bar, and Zelda's!
When signing up please be sure to acturately account for each volunteer in your group so we can ensure each volunteer receives a lunch.
Please bring your own water and gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. No open-toed shoes.
Parking available in Pell Elementary Parking lot.
Volunteer Event: Family Tree Corps Pell Elementary
Join us for Tree Corps to mulch and care for the trees at Pell Elementary School!
Our Tree Corps sessions this month are generously sponsored by BankNewport 🌳💚 Thank you for supporting community-rooted care!
Family Tree Corps is a special volunteer session where kids and parents team up to care for Newport’s trees! It’s a fun, hands-on way for families to learn about tree care, spend time outdoors, and give back to the community together. All ages welcome—no experience needed!
When signing up please be sure to accurately account for each volunteer in your group so we can ensure each volunteer receives a lunch.
Please bring your own water and gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather!
Volunteers receive NTC T-shirts. Tools will be provided, and experience is not necessary.
Please dress for the weather. No open-toed shoes.
Parking available in Pell Elementary Parking lot.
July Free Tree Walk: Storer Park, Hunter House, and Point Neighborhood
Join us as we enjoy some beautiful trees and gardens, and cool ocean breezes.
Join us as we enjoy some beautiful trees and gardens, and cool ocean breezes. We’ll start off the walk in Storer Park, which houses several interesting trees, including a pair of massive Camperdown elms (Ulmus glabra ‘Camperdownii’). Then we’ll head over to the adjacent Hunter house to admire the gardens and discuss cultivating apple trees. We’ll finish off the walk heading out into the neighborhood to observe a handful of interesting plants that greatly add to the Point’s timeless charm. Please dress appropriately for walking in warm weather. Water is recommended.
Parking: Street Parking along Washington and Gladys Carr Bollhouse Rd.
Meeting Location: Storer Park
Registration is required.
This program involves walking/standing for the duration of the event.