City of Blue Island Think Outside the Loop
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The City of Blue Island has been awarded a $150,000.00 subgrant by The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) to improve its community tree canopy.
The competitive subgrant is among 17 provided to government entities through Inflation Reduction Act funding to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, administered by CRTI. The four-year grants, which does not require matching funds, are available for communities that meet the federal requirements as disadvantaged. The funding can be used for projects that increase tree canopy, improve forest health and create or enhance community forestry programs.
In a statement from Mayor Fred Bilotto, “The current tree canopy has been neglected and proper maintenance has not been performed. This has resulted in unhealthy trees and branches that threaten public safety during storms. The grant will help the City address these issues and bring the tree canopy back to a healthy condition which will allow the city to implement a cycled pruning program in force.”
Starting late fall of 2024 and through early Spring of 2025 Smitty’s Tree Service has been contracted to prune 450 and remove 266 trees deemed hazardous per Blue Island Forestry Maintenance Plan. The grant will also provide arbor care training for Blue Island’s Public Works Staff. This training will be conducted by Openland’s Senior Arborists and is scheduled for February of 2025.
This grant-funded project will complete the development or enhancement of a tree protection ordinance or policy that sets standards of care for newly planted trees and helps to ensure the tree canopy is maintained and protected long after the grant ends.
“Improving the distribution of trees and green spaces directly impacts the health and economic outcomes for communities,” said CRTI Director Zach Wirtz. “Projects like this improve quality of life and boost the urban tree canopy’s resilience to threats posed by climate change, pests and diseases.”
Funding support for this project was provided by the Inflation Reduction Act through the Urban and Community Forestry Programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the USDA Forest Service Eastern Region. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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