URBANA, Ill. — Communities with healthy, viable trees are more likely to have improved air quality, reduced stress, and added personal comfort for surrounding residents, nature, and wildlife.
“As we all have recently felt, Midwest summers are hot, and trees are a crucial part of our urban infrastructure that helps relieve that, says Justin Vozzo, Extension forestry specialist with Illinois Extension. “Whether it be through evaporative cooling or providing shade, trees in our communities provide much-needed resting space and relief from summer rays.”
As seasons shift, make it a fall goal to learn about local urban forests and how to properly plant a tree with the help of University of Illinois Extension experts. Two upcoming tree workshop and planting events are Oct. 18 in Urbana and Nov. 1 in Macomb.
The day will allow participants to learn more about the trees in their local area, including how to properly plant a tree, identify local trees, and what makes up the urban forest. Teaching more people the skills to plant and care for a tree properly will help trees in communities across the state be healthy and thriving for a long time.
There is no cost to attend the workshop and tree planting day. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
The event is part of the Illinois Extension’s Community Tree Care Series and is open to all community members regardless of skill level or experience. Additional partners and location support include The Morton Arboretum – Chicago Region Trees Initiative, Urbana Park District, and City of Macomb.
Find out more about the tree series and RSVP to the workshop events at go.illinois.edu/TreeCareSeries.
For event questions or if you need reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Justin Vozzo at vozzo2@illinois.edu, 217-300-9750.
Funding support for this project was provided by the Inflation Reduction Act through the Urban and Community Forestry Programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the USDA Forest Service Eastern Region. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
ABOUT ILLINOIS EXTENSION: University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy. Learn more at extension.illinois.edu.
SOURCE: Justin Vozzo, Extension forestry specialist, Illinois Extension
WRITER: Jenna Braasch, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.