Montgomery Planning program honored for leadership in advancing conservation, climate resilience, and reforestation in Montgomery County
Wheaton, Md. – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), announced that its Reforest Montgomery program has won an Award of Merit from the American Planning Association’s (APA) Excellence in Sustainability Annual Awards. Reforest Montgomery was recognized in the Environment, Climate, and Energy category for its leadership in expanding forest cover, strengthening climate resilience, and engaging residents and property owners in reforestation efforts across Montgomery County.
Reforest Montgomery staff and department leadership accepted the award last evening at the Excellence in Sustainability Annual Awards ceremony during APA’s National Planning Conference in Detroit.
“This award is a testament to the dedication of our team and the thousands of residents who have helped us grow a healthier, more resilient forest ecosystem,” said Montgomery Planning Environment & Climate Division Chief Christina Sorrento. “Reforestation and conservation are among the most powerful tools we have to address climate change locally, and we are proud to see our team’s and our community’s commitment recognized on a national stage.”
Reforest Montgomery, supported by the Forest Conservation Fund, plants forests and trees throughout Montgomery County. The program within Montgomery Planning’s Environment & Climate Division began in 2020 and offers residents a variety of options to get involved with reforestation programs and provides property owners incentives to plant trees. The Reforest Montgomery website includes information on forestation programming available for the public and an interactive map for residents to learn about which Reforest Montgomery programs their properties are eligible to apply for. The webpage also features the Reforest Montgomery Dashboard that allows residents to see the tangible impact of local forest and tree‑planting initiatives and understand how each program contributes to a healthier, greener Montgomery County.
Reforest Montgomery Programs at a Glance
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- Native Trees Discount—Residents can download a coupon for a $50 discount on any qualifying native tree purchased from six participating local nurseries. To date, more than 5,000 coupons have been reimbursed.
- Free Shade Trees—Eligible property owners can apply to have shade trees planted at no cost, helping to increase canopy and cool neighborhoods. As of April 2026, the program has planted 976 shade trees countywide.
- Parks Reforestation and Tree Planting Projects—Highlights ongoing reforestation work on county parkland, restoring natural habitats, and improving ecological resilience. Partnering with Pope Farm, Reforest Montgomery and Montgomery Parks have planted 370 large trees and other plant life in over 64 acres of forest in county parkland since 2009.
- Forest Conservation Easements—Landowners with an M‑NCPPC forest conservation easement can apply for free reforestation projects to meet conservation goals. So far, 10.57 acres have been reforested.
- Re‑Leaf the Reserve—A partnership with the Montgomery Countryside Alliance offering free trees in the Agricultural Reserve, supporting rural landscapes and watershed health. More than 24 acres have been reforested.
- Tree Care and Tree Selection Resources—Guidance for residents on choosing, planting, and caring for trees, including those received through Reforest Montgomery.
- MCPS Easement Reforestation Partnership—A collaboration with Montgomery County Public Schools to increase tree canopy on school properties. Thirty-eight trees have been planted since fall 2023.
About the APA Excellence in Sustainability Awards
The American Planning Association’s Sustainable Communities Division supports planners in creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities through resources, collaboration, advocacy, and professional development. The Awards for Excellence in Sustainability recognize outstanding projects, policies, plans, and individuals demonstrating leadership in sustainability planning and implementation.
The Environment, Climate, and Energy Award honors plans or projects that address climate mitigation or adaptation, energy or water efficiency, renewable energy, green jobs, air quality, green infrastructure, or related environmental initiatives. Read more about the awards program.
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