Lewis Fragroso is a “first-generation” arborist apprentice at the Cohanzick Nature Reserve in Bridgeton.
For Fragroso, working as an arborist – a trained professional who specializes in the cultivation of trees and plants – is a way to connect with his Nantioke-Lenape heritage, the land, as well as future generations.
“It kind of dawned on me going into this… the youth are the future, but also the trees are the future,” said Fragroso. “Without our environment, there’s really no us. If you kind of look at it from a historical standpoint, that’s the values that the indigenous people had all along.”
An arborists’ main goal is to preserve nature, implement plant diversity, and maintain natural landscapes that positively impact humans, animals, and surrounding ecosystems.
“I do very much align with and adhere to those values of stewardship,” said Fragroso. “It’s always been something that’s been very important to me.”
The Arborist Apprenticeship Program combines classroom learning with hands-on work in the forests. In addition to online coursework, apprentices cultivate land, plant and prune trees, preserve existing greenery, and catalog plants and trees on the land into a Geographic Information System (GIS). At the end of the program, participants can sit for the International Society of Arboriculture exam and become certified arborists who can professionally practice arboriculture.
The 63 acres of land were home to the Cohanzick Lenape tribe hundreds of years ago. In 2023, the Native American Advancement Corporation (NAAC) acquired the land for a preserve.
Fragroso’s interest in the environment was sparked by his grandparents, whose frequent camping trips immersed him in nature and facilitated a deep appreciation for the world around him.
Now, his goal as an arborist is to continue passing down the knowledge and passion he has retained to the community.
“We’re the first generation coming through, and the idea is we’re going to help the next generation come through,” says Fragroso. “A big part of it is teaching the community, and the other half is like, ‘What can I still learn?’”
Along with tending to the land on the Cohanzick Reserve, the program also has big plans for Bridgeton, where the American Forestry Foundation has provided funds to plant 1,200 trees.
The presence of more trees in a densely populated, concrete-heavy area could have major positive impacts: lower temperatures from more shade, improved mental health, protection from high wind speeds, and re-emergence of threatened species such as the red-headed woodpecker, according to Fragroso.
However, since planting is only allowed in public areas, the apprentices will have to get creative with encouraging more planting from the residents themselves.
“We can’t plant a tree in Mrs. Jones’ yard, but we can invite Mrs. Jones to come to the reserve to take a class on taking care of a tree and then give Mrs. Jones a tree to plant in her front yard,” Fragroso said.
Not only will the reserve invite Bridgeton residents to learn about planting trees, but Fragroso also says they plan to host one community event a month, including tree-planting events.
Fragroso is determined to reach the planting goal and continue encouraging others to become a part of the reserve’s programming.
“With this work, you’re doing a good thing for the environment,” said Fragroso. “Don’t be afraid to go out to those volunteer opportunities. Do the things that you’re interested in. If you see us out in the world doing our arborist thing, don’t be strangers.”
