"I Heart Evanston Trees" Project

1. “I Heart Evanston Trees” Project
Tree Replant Express Program – Fall 2013
Paul D’Agostino
Assistant Director of Public Works
Parks/Forestry Division
August 12, 2013

2. “I Heart Evanston Trees” Program -
Fundraising
• Emerald Ash Borer has wiped out > 2,000 Ash Trees in
Evanston since 2006.
• Parks/Forestry is raising $25,000 to help replace the lost trees
through community member donations and the help of
Citizinvestor, a crowdfunding site.
• As of 08/12 we have raised $6,545.
Note: Not to scale

3. “I Heart Evanston Trees” Program –
Educating Community Members
Tree Summit, 06/22/13
Painting “tree cookies” at
Lakeshore Arts Fest,
08/04/13
Eco Center CIT campers
remove invasive
buckthorn 08/02/13
Presence at 4th of July Parade,
Recycling Fair, and Ethnic Arts
Fest; guest speaking at various
Ecology Center camps.
Upcoming: CommUNITY picnic,
Green Living Festival
Media Presence: Engage
Evanston Forum, Twitter/FB,
local news sources, ABC News

4. Blue Trees along Sheridan Road

5. Tree Replant Express – Fall 2013
• Residents can purchase their own parkway tree and will be
added to the Fall 2013 planting list.
• The more Evanston residents that purchase trees, the faster
the Parks/Forestry Division can replant the trees of all
residents, regardless of whether or not they are in the Express
program.

6. Tree Benefits for Evanston
Wildlife Habitat
Beautified Business DistrictCleaner Air, Stormwater
Absorption
Quieter, “safer” feeling
residential streets
Positive publicity, “green
city”
Encourages more
outdoor time

7. Next Steps
• Developing an Evanston Trees Task Force to explore additional funding and
awareness raising opportunities, including an “Evanston Tree App”
• Advertising Tree Replant Express Program– Fall 2013
• Coordinating with community groups such as Openlands’ Evanston
TreeKeepers for volunteer work day opportunities
• Continuing to maintain a presence at community events, especially Green
Living Festival 2013 – “Preserving and Protecting our Urban Forest” –
Saturday, September 28th at the Ecology Center, 9am – 3pm
• Providing additional educational resource materials online
Help support the “I Heart
Evanston Trees” project and
receive a mug or thermos
made of eco-friendly
materials with your $50
donation!