LISLE, Ill. (Sept. 17, 2024)—The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) and its partners honored three urban forestry champions for their exceptional work to enhance the regional forest during CRTI’s Annual Partner Recognition Celebration on Sept. 16.

The 2024 Urban Forestry Award recipients were Wilmette’s Forester and Tree Preservation Officer Joe Hansen for Urban Forester of the Year, Chicago community group Latinos Progresando for Urban Forest Advocate and former Glenview Environment and Natural Resources Commission Chair Henrietta Saunders for Urban Forest Innovator.

“Trees need champions in every community—a person or organization that will stand up for them, care for them and educate the people around them about their importance,” said CRTI Director Zach Wirtz. “This year, we honor three outstanding innovators and changemakers who have gone above and beyond to advance urban forestry in our region. Their work inspires us all and exemplifies the spirit of CRTI.”

Its Annual Partner Recognition Celebration, held at the Arboretum, recognized leaders and innovators in urban and community forestry and showcased the essential work they are doing. The event was co-hosted by Faith in Place, The Nature Conservancy of Illinois, Openlands, Urban Growers Collective and the USDA Forest Service.

Urban Forester of the Year –  Joe Hansen

A highly certified tree care professional, Hansen has worked with the Cook County Forest Preserve District, Park Ridge and Wilmette to advance urban forest management plans, inspect trees, review building plans and enforce tree preservation ordinances.

A successful measure Hansen spearheaded as part of Wilmette’s Tree Preservation Ordinance allocates fees or fines generated when regulated work impacts trees on private property to fund a private-property tree planting incentive program. He shared best practices from this and a similar initiative in Park Ridge at a well-attended CRTI professional development event.

Hansen regularly volunteers with CRTI and the Illinois Arborist Association, hosts his urban forestry podcast “The Municipal Arborist,” and brings together urban foresters for Arbor Day celebrations. He volunteers on the Illinois Forestry Development Council, chairing the Urban and Community Forestry Committee and assisting the Illinois Urban Forest Strike Team.

Urban Forest Advocate – Latinos Progresando

Latinos Progresando has greatly improved green space and the urban forest on the city’s West Side. It has been serving Chicago’s Marshall Square, Little Village and surrounding neighborhoods since 1998.

Over the past year alone, the group and its partners planted more than 120 trees along three major Marshall Square streets as part of its dedicated effort to address the community’s poor air quality and canopy cover. Latinos Progresando and its collaborators ensured the trees’ viability by watering them alongside residents and contracting additional watering services.

The group consistently advocates for its community and engages local policymakers on measures to foster climate-resilient communities. It is convening a community member cohort tasked with driving continued momentum to plant trees and further enhance the area’s tree canopy.

Urban Forest Innovator – Henrietta Saunders

Saunders’ steadfast commitment to raising awareness about conservation projects and policies in Glenview has generated strong public support and countless volunteers to improve water quality, support pollinator habitats and preserve and plant trees.

Among other key policies, she spearheaded Glenview’s Urban Forest Management Plan, Tree Planting Incentive Program and its recently updated and expanded Plan for Nature. She was instrumental in passing a referendum bolstering Cook County Forest Preserves District funding. She serves on the Cook County Forest Preserves’ Conservation and Policy Council, helping to implement the Next Century Conservation Plan.

Thanks to Saunders’ efforts, an environmental-focused educational booth called the “Green Table” was established at Glenview’s weekly Farmer’s Market, a growing number of volunteer events such as river cleanups and tree plantings were created and the library and local artists were engaged to help expand the reach of environmental issues. She started and leads an Openlands TreeKeepers Chapter in Glenview.

CRTI is The Morton Arboretum’s urban and community forestry program, working to improve the health, diversity and equitable distribution of trees in the Chicago region and throughout Illinois. CRTI partners with and facilitates collaboration among more than 500 organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors to inspire tree stewards and build municipal capacity and support for trees, with a focus on environmental equity and disadvantaged communities.

For more information about CRTI’s Annual Partner Recognition Celebration and its 2024 Urban Forestry Award recipients, visit mortonarb.org/urban-forestry-awards.