PEOTONE, Illinois March 16, 2023 – The Village of Peotone was awarded a $7,520 grant to complete tree planting on public property within the municipality.
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).
“This matching grant allowed us to double the amount of trees we were able to plant last year in our street parkways,” said Dr. Peter March, Mayor of Peotone. “Special thanks to Village Trustee Mike Jones who has singlehandedly spearheaded our tree planting program over the last 8 years. Our public works department also deserve thanks for their tireless efforts in helping with this program. Our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy beautiful tree lined streets thanks to our tree planting program.”
The Village was awarded this grant in January 2022 for a Spring 2022 planting. Letters were mailed to residents and trees were planted in May of 2022. The Village updated their tree ordinance to comply with the grant specifications. Peotone Public Works Department planted, mulched after planting, and continue to water the trees.
The grants provide communities with funds to plant a diversity of trees and empowers the Village of Peotone 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.”
