Restoring Blue Island's Tree Canopy
Donation protected
Blue Island is a City of Trees.
Let's keep this natural resource strong for the future. Trees not only add tremendous beauty, but they are also an important economic asset to Blue Island. Trees help reduce flooding by trapping stormwater, they keep buildings cool and save energy, they reduce the damaging effects of sun on our streets, and they purify our most important asset -- the air we breathe.
You, your children and their children all will benefit from the Blue Island Trees Campaign.
By means of private donations, this campaign will be moving forward with a plan to plant another 30 trees this fall in the residential parkways. Bringing a total of 203 high quality trees planted within 2 years.
The intent is to plant a minimum of 10 trees per ward/per year as every area has been hit by emerald ash borer infestation as well as the aging tree canopy.
Raising another $2,000 by November 28 is the goal.
Please make your donation right now. Any amount will help, but you can really help get this started with $50 or $100 or more.
Blue Island residents now—and for decades to come— will be grateful for the help you give.
Who is Managing The Campaign?
This campaign is a collaboration of 4th Ward Aldermen Bill Fahrenwald and Tom Hawley along with Val Kehoe, community volunteer, certified arborist and a Horticulture Coordinator for the University of Illinois Extension - Urbana/Champaign.
*Monies donated to this campaign are graciously filtered through the Blue Island Art Alliance, an Illinois not-for-profit organization.
Why is Blue Island's Tree Canopy Disappearing?
Of the five varieties planted to replace trees lost to the Dutch Elm disease in the 1960s and '70s, many were white and green ash trees as well as silver maple. These trees have either died, been removed or taken down as a preventative measure.
How Will Tree Locations Be Selected?
The biggest component of the campaign is community involvement. It starts with your donation, which will permit us to consider requests for trees to be planted in parkways at specific addresses.
City officials and volunteer coordinator will visit each site to determine feasibility and species selection, which will be based on the appropriate type of tree for street parkways, utility location, etc.
Trees will be acquired from a local certified nursery.
In order to diversify Blue Island's tree canopy we are looking at a wide variety of species, including Ironwood, Hackberry, American Linden, Red and Swamp Oak, as well as Kentucky Coffee Tree.
The homeownser's wishes will be taken into consideration.
Finally, Who Plants Them?
On planting days, volunteers will be needed, including representatives from each address where trees are to be planted. Those residents will be required to monitor their individual tree's health, and to be sure each tree receives at least 15 gallons of water each week, April through October, for three years.
When people think of trees, they think of shade, birds, wildlife and kids playing. Trees offer a place for people to relax and to connect with the outdoors.
Please Donate Now!
Let's keep this natural resource strong for the future. Trees not only add tremendous beauty, but they are also an important economic asset to Blue Island. Trees help reduce flooding by trapping stormwater, they keep buildings cool and save energy, they reduce the damaging effects of sun on our streets, and they purify our most important asset -- the air we breathe.
You, your children and their children all will benefit from the Blue Island Trees Campaign.
By means of private donations, this campaign will be moving forward with a plan to plant another 30 trees this fall in the residential parkways. Bringing a total of 203 high quality trees planted within 2 years.
The intent is to plant a minimum of 10 trees per ward/per year as every area has been hit by emerald ash borer infestation as well as the aging tree canopy.
Raising another $2,000 by November 28 is the goal.
Please make your donation right now. Any amount will help, but you can really help get this started with $50 or $100 or more.
Blue Island residents now—and for decades to come— will be grateful for the help you give.
Who is Managing The Campaign?
This campaign is a collaboration of 4th Ward Aldermen Bill Fahrenwald and Tom Hawley along with Val Kehoe, community volunteer, certified arborist and a Horticulture Coordinator for the University of Illinois Extension - Urbana/Champaign.
*Monies donated to this campaign are graciously filtered through the Blue Island Art Alliance, an Illinois not-for-profit organization.
Why is Blue Island's Tree Canopy Disappearing?
Of the five varieties planted to replace trees lost to the Dutch Elm disease in the 1960s and '70s, many were white and green ash trees as well as silver maple. These trees have either died, been removed or taken down as a preventative measure.
How Will Tree Locations Be Selected?
The biggest component of the campaign is community involvement. It starts with your donation, which will permit us to consider requests for trees to be planted in parkways at specific addresses.
City officials and volunteer coordinator will visit each site to determine feasibility and species selection, which will be based on the appropriate type of tree for street parkways, utility location, etc.
Trees will be acquired from a local certified nursery.
In order to diversify Blue Island's tree canopy we are looking at a wide variety of species, including Ironwood, Hackberry, American Linden, Red and Swamp Oak, as well as Kentucky Coffee Tree.
The homeownser's wishes will be taken into consideration.
Finally, Who Plants Them?
On planting days, volunteers will be needed, including representatives from each address where trees are to be planted. Those residents will be required to monitor their individual tree's health, and to be sure each tree receives at least 15 gallons of water each week, April through October, for three years.
When people think of trees, they think of shade, birds, wildlife and kids playing. Trees offer a place for people to relax and to connect with the outdoors.
Please Donate Now!
Organizer
Valerie Kehoe
Organizer
Blue Island, IL