Get involved and help CRTI advance our four key priorities.

• 1

  Inspire people to value trees
  • Encourage everyone to correctly plant and care for trees so they stay healthy and grow to maturity
  • Connect with people so they better understand the value of trees and can become advocates for trees in their communities
  • Help homeowners, landowners, agencies, communities, and organizations across the Chicago region understand why an increased canopy is important
• 2

  Increase the Chicago region's tree canopy
  • Ensure that people are trained to plant and care for trees correctly
  • Protect and expand planting of trees as critical infrastructure
  • Advocate for more trees for under-resourced communities and neighborhoods
  • Collect and communicate the latest tree science and urban forestry information
• 3

  Reduce threats to urban trees
  • Help residents and communities recognize the importance of tree diversity
  • Advocate for ordinances, policies, and incentives for the management of woody invasive species, pests, and pathogens
  • Lower costs by investing in urban forestry for ongoing management of pests, routine pruning, and health assessments
  • Use CRTI’s regional, county, and local mapping of tree species diversity to more effectively manage the urban forest
• 4

  Enhance oak ecosystems
  • Expand biological diversity of native oak ecosystems and increase regeneration of oaks and associated species
  • Increase awareness and protection of core remnant oak ecosystems on public and private land, which are our natural heritage and in need of protection
  • Secure government funding and expand public/private partnerships to fund oak ecosystem protection, management, and scientific research