Across the Chicago region, the emerald ash borer (EAB) has devastated millions of ash trees, which when surveyed in 2010, comprised 8% of the regional tree canopy. These trees, crucial as green infrastructure, played a vital role in filtering water, reducing flooding, and providing numerous ecological, social, and economic benefits. The loss of ash trees has had a significant impact on the region, leaving many communities with standing dead trees that pose safety risks and contribute to increased vulnerability to climate change, pests, and diseases.

The City of Chicago and the City of Chicago Heights, both located in the Lake Michigan watershed, have been hard-hit by the EAB infestation. Recognizing the urgent need for restoration, The Morton Arboretum partnered with these communities to secure a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant from the USDA Forest Service in 2022.

This collaboration aimed to restore the tree canopy, providing long-term benefits to the Lake Michigan watershed and supporting green infrastructure initiatives outlined in key regional plans such as the Little Calumet River Detailed Watershed Plan, the Chicago Region Trees Initiative’s 2050 Master Plan for Trees, the Illinois Forest Action Plan, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s ON TO 2050 plan.

Urban and Community Forestry Efforts

Through this partnership, CRTI worked with both communities to plant a combined 300 trees, significantly contributing to canopy restoration efforts. In May 2024, volunteers, elected officials, City staff and CRTI staff joined forces to plant 150 trees in a single day in Chicago Heights. Meanwhile, the grant provided funding to the Chicago Bureau of Forestry to plant an additional 150 trees across the city’s top 25 priority neighborhoods, chosen based on factors such as existing canopy cover, flood risk, air quality, heat island effects, and vulnerable populations.

In addition to tree planting, the program included forestry training and certification opportunities for Chicago staff. CRTI’s Urban Forestry Basic Training, along with the International Society of Arboriculture’s Arborist Certification and Tree Risk Assessment Qualification courses, were offered to ensure that the region is equipped with skilled professionals capable of managing and expanding the urban tree canopy.

As part of the outreach efforts, CRTI staff also distributed 100 saplings to communities within the GLRI boundary at various events, providing residents with instructions on how to add their newly planted trees to the Canopy Counts Program map. This initiative not only helped restore lost canopy but also engaged the community in the long-term stewardship of their urban forest.

This partnership highlights the power of collaboration between CRTI, The City of Chicago, and the Village of Chicago Heights in addressing the significant loss of trees due to EAB, while also building resilience against future environmental challenges.