PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release March 15, 2021

Contact: Jessica Cannaday, Executive Director | 708-354-4580 | jcannaday@communityparkdistrict.org

Community Park District of La Grange Park awarded urban forestry funding

LA GRANGE PARK, Illinois March 15, 2021 — The Community Park District of La Grange Park was awarded a $8,265 grant to complete tree inventories and develop a management plan for its urban forest.

The funds were provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Urban and Community Forestry Core Grant Program and administered by The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI).

“Being a small agency with limited staff, this funding will provide the Community Park District the knowledge and expertise needed to better care for the trees we have, and effectively plan for the enhancement of La Grange Park’s urban forest to benefit future generations,” said executive director, Jessica Cannaday.

The grants provide communities with a better understanding of the urban forest areas they’re managing by revealing an estimated number of trees, their size, condition and species. The inventories will also identify opportunities to increase planting, and will inform the development of a comprehensive, long-term urban forest management plan.

According to Cannaday, the park district will utilize information from the comprehensive management plan to better budget for tree planting and care, species diversification, staff training, pest control and disease mitigation. It will also provide opportunities for the park district and Village of La Grange Park to work more collaboratively on the development and care of La Grange Park’s urban forest.

“Urban trees are critical infrastructure for a community, and this funding helps to protect one of its most important resources,” said Lydia Scott, director of CRTI. “Trees clean our air and water, reduce flooding and heat, improve our mental and physical health, and provide important habitat for birds and other wildlife.”