Effingham to receive funding for urban forestry, tree inventory

LISLE, Ill. (WAND) — The City of Effingham will receive $50,000 to improve urban forestry efforts.

On Monday, the Morton Arboretum announced 22 urban forestry projects across the state that will receive funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, under the direction of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

Arboretum President and CEO Jill Koski reported that the organization received 61 applications requesting more than $14 million from communities that meet federal guidelines as disadvantaged areas.

"The Morton Arboretum is pleased to award this essential funding and provide ongoing support services that will address some of the many inequities communities have faced related to green infrastructure," Koski said. "The large number of applications clearly demonstrates the need and desire for resources and capacity to plant and care for trees for the many benefits they provide to communities and people."

Research by the Arboretum’s scientists and others revealed that properly placed, diverse trees that are well cared for can cool temperatures in built environments, sustain biodiverse ecosystems, reduce flooding and help clean the air, among other benefits.

Awarded communities throughout the state will collectively plant and care for more than 1,800 trees, prune more than 500 trees in need of maintenance, remove nearly 300 dead or high-risk trees, establish one new community fruit orchard and clear 30 acres of woody invasive species. Some projects will include education and resident outreach in multiple languages.

“As the recipient of unprecedented U.S. Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act funds, IDNR is thrilled to see these resources extended to Illinois communities,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “We are excited and eager to see the massive urban and community forestry gains that will be made in underserved and disadvantaged areas of Illinois.”

The City of Effingham will use $50,000 to complete a 100% inventory of the city’s trees, develop an Urban Forestry Management Plan with significant community input, remove dead trees and plant 10 trees in disadvantaged areas.

Applications for $7.9 million in additional U.S. Forest Service IRA funding awarded to the Arboretum are now open on the Arboretum's Tree Equity Grants for Disadvantaged Communities webpage for projects that will enhance forestry in disadvantaged areas of communities. These grants will provide funding assistance to nonprofits, government entities and other eligible groups.

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