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Plant Trees for Communities

The Chicago Region Trees Initiative invites you to support the Plant Trees for Communities initiative — plant at least one tree in every local community in the seven-county Chicago Region and in each of the 50 Chicago wards (approx. 340 trees) in 2021. 
 
The Chicago Region Trees Initiative recognizes the current challenges that we all face and wants to help communities look to a brighter future with the planting of a tree — a tangible symbol of hope. The Plant Trees for Communities initiative is the first step toward our common goal to rebuild the Chicago region’s urban forest to improve our quality of life. With the help of partners like you, we will build a stronger, healthier, and more equitable future for the Chicago region. If you are interested in funding the purchase of a tree for one or more communities that need help, donate here.
If you are a community interested in being part of this regional effort — to plant at least one tree in each community across the seven-county Chicago Region and each of the 50 Chicago wards  in 2021, please read on:
 
Green means the community can provide their own trees. Purple means they want to participate but need help acquiring a tree.WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO: 

Commit to plant at least one tree in 2021. We are hoping to get the majority of trees planted in spring. If you can purchase your own tree – fantastic! If not, we will try to find a funder for your tree. The map on the left shows committed communities who need funding in purple and committed communities that are supplying their own trees in green.

*If we purchase the tree for you, you will need to pick up the tree from a centralized location.   

*If you are inspired to help fund a tree for an under-resourced community, click here to contribute at these suggested levels. If you have the expertise to help a community plant their tree, contact LScott@mortonarb.org. 

Plant the tree.  You can plant with staff, residents, or a community group. We will provide instructions for planting and ongoing care, including a watering bucket and a Trees Owner’s Manual.

Care for the tree. We will require a commitment to water the tree in the growing season for the first three years, either by staff, a resident, or a community group. We will provide a five gallon bucket, printed with watering instructions in English and Spanish.

Promote tree planting in your community.  We will provide a tag to hang on your tree that explains the Plant Trees for Communities initiative and represents a new start in 2021 — a representation of a stronger, healthier, and more equitable future. We can also provide a press release and a resolution, if requested, to memorialize this event.

Sponsor trees for this campaign at these levels by donating here.

 

This event will help launch a regional campaign to increase tree planting, especially in communities suffering from environmental equity issues, so that we can all experience cleaner air and water, reduced flooding and heat, improved mental and physical health and beautified communities – PLANT TREES. We look to 2021 and this new tree as a tangible symbol of hope for a stronger, healthier, and more equitable future.
Questions?  Contact Lydia Scott at lscott@mortonarb.org