Crystal Lake Park District Awarded Urban and Community Forestry Grant for Tree Planting

Wed March 15, 2023

The Crystal Lake Park District was awarded a $ 15,000 grant for tree planting. 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 Partner Grant Program and administered by The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI). 

“Crystal Lake Park District saw this great opportunity to help us increase the diversity and population of trees in our parks.” said Valarie Roberts, Grounds Manager.  “We have had to remove many storm-damaged, diseased, and declining trees such as the Ash trees in all our parks.  This grant provides the funds for 75 new trees, continuing the environmental stewardship from our 2021 celebration year when we planted 100 trees.  We are looking forward to our next 100 years, starting with planting these 75 trees for our future children and grandchildren to enjoy the many benefits that trees provide.”

The grant funds will be used toward the purchase and installation of 75 trees and the care and maintenance of those trees.  Crystal Lake Park District is providing match funding to meet the goal for 75 new trees within the parks.  Tree plantings will focus on native species that are well-suited for our parks.  The trees will be planted in both Fall of 2023 and Spring of 2024.

The grants provide communities with funds to plant a diversity of trees and empowers the Crystal Lake Park District to enhance its tree preservation ordinance to better protect mature trees in the community.

“Urban trees are critical infrastructure for a community, and this funding helps to plant and 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.”

See https://chicagorti.org/ for more information.