CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with several city departments and community partners, gathered in Rogers Park this week to celebrate Arbor Day and promote the importance of tree planting in the city.

The event, which was attended by Alderwoman Maria Hadden (49), representatives from the Chicago Departments of Streets and Sanitation (DSS), Environment (DOE), and Transportation (CDOT), as well as the Park District, Morton Arboretum, the Chicago Urban Forestry Advisory Board (UFAB), and Openlands, highlighted the progress made through the Our Roots Chicago initiative.

In his speech, Mayor Johnson emphasized the benefits of a robust urban tree canopy, stating that trees not only beautify neighborhoods but also contribute to community pride and overall health and safety. He also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to planting trees in every community in Chicago.

The need for more trees in certain areas of the city was also addressed. On Chicago's South and West Sides, disparities in tree coverage have left communities vulnerable to extreme heat, higher utility costs, flooding, and heat-related illnesses. The Our Roots Chicago initiative has made significant strides in addressing these issues by planting over 69,000 new trees since 2022. More than half of these trees were planted in priority areas that previously lacked canopy cover. The City aims to reach its goal of planting 75,000 new trees by the end of 2026.

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Angela Tovar, Chief Sustainability Officer and DOE Commissioner, praised the Our Roots Chicago project for its impact on ensuring all residents can benefit from a healthy tree canopy. She also expressed gratitude towards city and community partners for their shared commitment to climate and community health goals.

In addition to celebrating Arbor Day and promoting tree planting initiatives, this year's event marked a milestone for DSS Bureau of Forestry's Area Tree Trimming initiative. In April 2023, DSS transitioned from a request-based system to an area trim system, ensuring that every block receives regular tree trimming. Since then, the Bureau of Forestry has trimmed over 270,000 trees citywide. DSS Commissioner Cole Stallard noted that this approach is more efficient and equitable and helps maintain the long-term health of the urban forest.

The City of Chicago has been a member of the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA program for 44 years, which recognizes communities for their commitment to tree planting and preservation. The City also acknowledged its community partners who have contributed to these efforts, including the Morton Arboretum for its Tree Ambassador program, Openlands for training over 2,000 Chicagoans to be stewards of trees in their community, and UFAB for ensuring a coordinated and efficient approach to urban forestry.

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These programs play a crucial role in empowering Chicagoans to become advocates and stewards of trees in their neighborhoods. By doing so, they ensure that all residents can enjoy the benefits of trees for years to come. As the city continues to prioritize tree planting and preservation efforts, it is clear that Arbor Day will remain an important holiday in Chicago for years to come.

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