CITY OF CHICAGO CELEBRATES ARBOR DAY, BEGINS SPRING TREE PLANTING

Tree planting- Adobe Stock Photo
Tree planting- Adobe Stock Photo

 

CITY OF CHICAGO CELEBRATES ARBOR DAY, BEGINS SPRING TREE PLANTING

Continues to work with Tree Ambassadors on City’s Our Roots Chicago program

The Chicago Departments of Public Health (CDPH), Streets and Sanitation (DSS), and Transportation (CDOT), in partnership with The Southwest Collective, celebrated Arbor Day with tree plantings on the 4300 block of South Keeler Ave. in the Archer Heights community as part of the City's Our Roots Chicago tree equity initiative.  

Launched in 2021, Our Roots Chicago is just one facet of the City’s dedication to environmental justice and health equity, grounded in the Chicago 2022 Climate Action Plan. Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot launched the program in 2021 with funding through the Chicago Recovery Plan, committing to planting 75,000 trees over the next five years in historically underserved neighborhoods with low tree canopy cover.

“It is with great pride that our City's commitment to plant more trees is materializing,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “Our Roots Chicago is an investment in our City's future and in generations to come. We owe it to them to expand the urban tree canopy and preserve the existing trees we have to promote healthy, beautiful communities.”

Using a community-driven and data-informed approach, the community tree ambassador program trains community-based organizations to submit free public parkway tree requests on behalf of residents in priority communities while discussing with residents the public health, social, economic, and environmental benefits of trees. And as the initiative grows, the over 100-member, Community Tree Equity Working Group continues to partner, advise, and work with the City.

“The Southwest Collective has long been an advocate for improving the tree canopy here on the Southwest Side, which is heavy on industry and light on greenery. Since 2019, we have worked tirelessly to bring trees to our neighbors’ residential blocks, in an effort to cool down our overheated streets, and we look forward to continuing that effort,” said Jaime Groth Searle, Founder and Executive Director of The Southwest Collective.

“Community involvement and partnership are at the heart of Our Roots Chicago,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar. “This year’s planting season continues the strategic guidance and participation of the community residents who make up the Tree Equity Working Group, and we are excited to expand the groups’ efforts to more neighborhoods in need of trees.”

“The City's commitment to its residents includes both the people in our neighborhoods and the areas in which they live. Through its Climate Action Plan and Our Roots Chicago, we are supporting both,” said CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, MD, MPH. “As we move the needle on expanding green space in areas that need it, we are also moving the needle on creating a healthier, safer, and more equitable Chicago.”

While Chicago has roots as a “Tree City USA” cohort participant, the historic investment and ongoing dedication of the City and its partners led to more than 18,000 trees being planted in 2022, exceeding the City’s pledge of 15,000.  

“With more than 18,000 trees planted last year, we are picking up right where we left off to expand Chicago’s tree canopy and create greener, healthier, and more sustainable neighborhoods," said CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi. "CDOT is proud to partner with our sister agencies and community groups through the Our Roots Chicago initiative to ensure a more equitable distribution of trees across Chicago."

“We are thrilled to have surpassed the City’s goal last year, and our Bureau of Forestry has been working year-round with city partners on this year's tree planting,” said DSS Commissioner Cole Stallard. “Residents are encouraged to contact the City to request a tree for their parkways so they can begin to reap the many benefits trees bring to their community.”

Chicago residents can request a free tree to be planted on the parkway in front of their home by using the CHI311 app or by calling 311. For more information on how to get involved, visit Chicago.gov/OurRoots.  

 

  

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