Latest news with #TreeCityUSA
Chicago Tribune
16-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
La Grange eyes green measures to comply with Climate Action Plan
Nearly a year after the La Grange Village Board approved a resolution endorsing the Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region last June, the head of the village's Environmental Quality Commission said the village has made some progress toward a greener future, but there's still lots of work to do. The Climate Action Plan was developed by the Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus, a membership organization of the Chicago region's 275 cities, towns and villages, to set goals to reduce future climate impacts. In La Grange, signing on to the Climate Action Plan was the latest step in an effort that also included adopting a Greenest Region Compact resolution in 2018 that outlines goals to guide municipal action and foster relations between participating communities, according to Rose Naseef, chairwoman of the La Grange Environmental Quality Commission. She lauded the village's successes, including achieving a Silver Designation through the national SolSmart program — focusing on solar energy, being recognized as a Tree City USA for 40th year and receiving a Tree City USA growth award from the Arbor Day Foundation. But, she said, there are more steps to take. 'The regional Climate Action Plan specifically states that to address the root causes of climate change, which is the increased concentration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuels, municipalities in the Chicago region must aggressively pursue the goals,' Naseef said. 'We must use less energy overall. We must use energy from cleaner sources, We must remove greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere.' Although the ultimate goal of the Climate Action Plan is to become greenhouse gas emissions free, interim mitigation goals set by the Caucus include reducing greenhouse emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030, 65% by 2040, and at least 80% by 2050. To help the region achieve those goals, it recommends municipal policies that encourage energy efficiency in buildings along with more complicated solutions such as creating district energy systems. Naseef talked about policies that municipalities could enact— some simple, like making buildings more energy efficient, or more complicated policies, like creating district energy systems. In La Grange, Naseef suggested reducing carbon in its own operations, enacting environmentally-friendly policies such as streamlining solar codes, and encouraging community members to get involved in and reduce their own emissions. La Grange Environmental Quality Commission Commissioner Aakruti Liva suggested an action timeline for village leaders. Goals for the next couple years included establishing local sustainability targets, facilitating composting and recycling, flood mitigation, promoting ecosystems in public landscapes and advancing electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Village President Mark Kuchler said the Village had begun to address some of the commission's ideas. 'Because of suggestions from the EQC, our Public Works was able to compost several truckloads of leaves, and end some of the regulations on solar (energy) for residents, and we do appreciate those suggestions made in the last year or two,' he said. After the presentation Kuchler highlighted climate-friendly measures already in place in La Grange. 'We're continuing to advocate for more and more recycling, more and more composting and the village is going to continue with all that,' he said. 'We allowed a company to come in to supply power,' he said. 'ComEd continues to supply it, but we went with a company that agreed to use a certain percentage of green energy.' Kuchler also mentioned leaf collection, saying 'we're trying to move more and more leaves collected into composting versus sending them on a truck to out of state.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Muscatine earns Tree City USA recognition for 33rd year in a row
Muscatine has once again earned national recognition as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, marking the 33rd consecutive year the city has received the honor for its strong commitment to tree planting, maintenance, and environmental stewardship. 'Being named a Tree City USA for over three decades is no small feat,' said Matt Mardesen, city administrator. 'It's a reflection of our community's shared values—clean air, green spaces, and a healthier future for the next generation.' The Tree City USA program recognizes cities that meet four core standards: having a tree board or department, adopting a tree care ordinance, investing at least $2 per resident in urban forestry, and hosting an annual Arbor Day celebration. Muscatine has consistently met and exceeded these requirements. 'We're proud of the work our Parks and Recreation team and volunteers do every year to maintain our tree canopy,' said Melissa Baker, park maintenance supervisor. 'Trees don't just beautify our neighborhoods—they improve mental health, reduce flooding, and make our city more resilient.' Trees provide a wide range of benefits to Muscatine residents: they cool down streets and homes, reduce storm water runoff, boost property values, and improve overall well-being. The Arbor Day Foundation notes that planting the right tree in the right place also helps cut energy costs and traffic noise. 'We all have a role to play in shaping our future and tree champions like Muscatine are leading the way,' said Michelle Saulnier, vice president of programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. 'Trees are critical infrastructure, building resiliency and fostering good health in our nation's cities. We're proud Muscatine is among the Arbor Day Foundation's growing network of communities dedicated to creating positive impact through trees.' Muscatine's designation is part of a nationwide movement supported by the Arbor Day Foundation, the USDA Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters. Since its founding in 1972, the Foundation and its partners have helped plant more than 500 million trees in more than 60 countries. For more information about Tree City USA or how to participate, visit here. About the Arbor Day Foundation The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. With a global network of more than 1 million members and partners, the Foundation is working toward a greener, healthier future—one tree at a time. Learn more here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
City of Galesburg celebrates Arbor Day
The City of Galesburg celebrated Arbor Day on Friday, April 25, by planting a Swamp White Oak at King Elementary School, according to a news release. The event was held at 10:30 a.m. and featured participation from Heather Barker's fourth-grade class, along with many students, members of the Galesburg Tree Commission, and the city's forestry crew. (The City of Galesburg) The annual Arbor Day celebration highlights Galesburg's continued commitment to urban forestry and environmental stewardship. The city has been recognized as a Tree City USA for 25 consecutive years by the Arbor Day Foundation, and this year received the Tree City Growth Award for the seventh time — the third year in a row. In addition to ongoing forestry efforts, Project 350, launched in 2022, continues to thrive. The initiative aimed to plant 70 trees annually in city parks and terraces over five years. The group of volunteers has planted over 480 trees in only three years and continues to plant trees throughout the city. 'This year's Arbor Day planting at King School was a wonderful reflection of our community's dedication to sustainability and environmental education,' said Don Miles, director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Galesburg. 'Involving students helps foster a lifelong appreciation for trees and their vital role in our ecosystem.' Arbor Day, observed annually on the last Friday in April in Illinois, began in 1872 in Nebraska with the planting of more than 1 million trees. 'The City of Galesburg is proud to continue this tradition and encourages all residents to join in celebrating the value trees bring to our environment and community,' the release says. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF -
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
City to plant 22 trees in recognition of Arbor Day
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The City of Colorado Springs will recognize Arbor Day by planting 22 trees at Prairie Grass Park on Friday, May 2. This is the 48th consecutive year that Colorado Springs has earned the designation of Tree City USA, which is given to communities that meet the four standards set by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. According to the City, Colorado Springs is the longest-running city in the state of Colorado to hold the title. 'On Arbor Day, we celebrate the vital role that trees play in our communities, from improving air quality to providing shade and beauty,' said Matt Puckett, interim City of Colorado Springs forester. 'As we reflect on the vision of General William Jackson Palmer, our founding father, it's clear that his foresight in prioritizing green spaces has shaped Colorado Springs into the vibrant city it is today. By planting trees, we honor that legacy and ensure a healthier, more sustainable environment for future generations.' City Forestry manages a living infrastructure of approximately 113,000 urban street trees and 20,000 park trees citywide. In 2025, Forestry plans to plant an estimated 50 trees in parks and medians throughout the city, including the 22 to be planted on Friday. The celebration will take place on Friday morning with an Arbor Day Proclamation reading by Mayor Yemi Mobolade. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tuesday storm uproots historic tree in Jordan Valley Park
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield-Greene County Park Board says a landmark of Jordan Valley Park was lost to the severe storms that hit Springfield on Tuesday. The Horton Alexander Hackberry tree — called the oldest tree in Jordan Valley Park — was toppled Tuesday morning. It was the first tree to be designated under the Tree City USA program, which began in 1985. The Park Board estimates the tree to have been 150-200 years old. '[The tree] stood as a symbol of strength and legacy in the heart of our city,' the Park Board stated in a Facebook post. 'Though we're saddened by its loss, we're grateful for the decades it watched over our downtown and inspired our community.' The hackberry tree was named in part after Jan Knauer Horton, who was the first executive director of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the Park Board says. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
