The Nueces County Keach Family Library is excited to announce its partnership with Neighborhood Forest for 2026 Free Trees for Kids program, a cherished annual initiative to celebrate Earth Day and inspire young environmental stewards. Registration is now open through March 15 for children to receive a free tree sapling to plant during Earth Week in April.

The program is in the second year at Keach Family Library, the program was an exciting program in 2025 with more than 200 families registered to receive saplings. 

Neighborhood Forest is a nonprofit organization on a mission to give free trees to children every Earth Day, fostering a love of nature and encouraging families to take an active role in greening their communities. Since its founding in 2010, Neighborhood Forest has served thousands of schools, libraries, and youth groups, reached hundreds of thousands of families, and helped give away tens of thousands of trees across North America, helping beautify neighborhoods and inspire environmental stewardship in children and families alike.

Each tree sapling provided through this program offers more than just a planting experience — trees play a vital role in capturing carbon, cooling neighborhoods, filtering air and water, and providing shade and habitat for wildlife. By engaging young people in planting their own tree, the program helps build lasting connections to the environment and instills a sense of pride in caring for our planet. 

Families interested in participating can register their child online at the Neighborhood Forest registration page: https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/registration-services/?school=109413 or they can visit the Keach Family Library and register in person with library staff by March 15^th.

Once registered, families will be contacted with the saplings arrive - usually during Earth Week (April 22-30) – and can return to the Keach Family Library to pick up their child’s free tree. Only registered participants will be eligible to receive a sapling.

The Keach Family Library encourages all families to take part in this meaningful program that not only celebrates Earth Day but also empowers children to make a positive, lasting impact on the environment.

FAQS: 

What kind of tree will we get? Species will be announced in early April. Neighborhood Forest aims to provide native tree or fruit/nut bearing trees in all regions they serve. The provide species on a state-by-state basis and like to provide different species each year to provide variety and diversity of trees. 2025 participants received Black Gum Trees.

Will we get a planting guide? Yes, staff will email registrants a tree planting guide and post it on our website when trees arrive.

When will trees arrive? Hopefully by April 20th, in time for Earth Day; however sometimes there are delays and trees may end up arriving after Earth Day. We will keep the those registered updated regularly.

For more information please visit the Parent FAQS website: https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/parent-faqs/