City of Blue Island Think Outside the Loop
In recent years, Blue Island has made great strides in tree care, through the grassroots campaign of Restore Our Canopy. Now with the reinstatement of the Blue Island Forestry Board, awareness and education to our residents on the importance and impact that trees have to our environment is being fulfilled.
Come Join Us! The Blue Island Forestry Board shall act as a liaison between Public Works and City Council to promote and preserve trees in the city, providing a thriving tree canopy for this generation and generations to come.
Accomplishments include:
· Over 400 trees have been planted in public spaces within our community.
· Working with regional advocacy groups for funding (Morton Arboretum, US Forestry, Open lands)
· Yearly Arbor Day and Oaktober Day Celebrations
· Structural Pruning Parties
· Educational Presentations to local schools as well as tablings and town hall meetings.
· 2023 Tree Ordinance has been revised.
· Complete Public Space 360-degree tree inventory has been completed.
· The first draft of Blue Island’s Forestry Management Plan has been delivered.
· 2022 and soon to be awarded for 2023 Blue Island has USA Tree City Status with a Growth award recognition.
More sustainable efforts can be achieved with a few more hands and minds. The Blue Island Forestry Board will meet on the below dates at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted, and your involvement would be wonderful!
2024 Meetings & Events
April 16 at 6 p.m.: Town Hall Meeting at the East Annex Building
April 26: Arbor Day Celebration
June 18: Blue Island Public Library
September 17 Blue Island Public Library
October 5: Oaktober Celebration!
December 17: Blue Island Public Library
Questions, please contact Chairperson Val Kehoe IL-5357 AM: valkehoe62@gmail.com
Mike Schroeder: Public Works Supervisor
Bill Fahrenwald: Council Liaison
Sandy Errft: Board Member
Brian Meadows: Board Member
Israel Meza: Board Member
Joe O’Meara: Board Member
Blue Island’s Forestry Board Working Meeting Minutes: Click here
