Glenview approves two tree programs
Near the start of the meeting, Glenview Village President Mike Jenny proclaimed April 29 as Arbor Day in Glenview.
He noted that for the last 37 years Glenview has been designated as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Some 38 minutes later into the April 5 board of trustees meeting at the Burnham Board Room came two examples as to why Glenview takes that Tree City acknowledgment seriously.
Henrietta Saunders, chair of the village's Environment and Natural Resources Commission, introduced an Urban Forest Management Plan, a 98-page document that outlines management practices and goals for Glenview's "urban forest" through 2032.
The village manages 30,962 trees in parkways and municipal property, representing an estimated benefit of nearly $6 million. Saunders said public engagement with Glenview's trees is "quite robust."
The ENRC had recommended the plan with a 5-0 vote on Jan. 24. The Glenview board matched that vote to support the plan after the presentation by Saunders and director of Community Development Jeff Brady.
The plan, based around the Metropolitan Mayors' Caucus Regional Climate Action Plan and aided in parts by entities like the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, presented 18 goals toward stewardship of Glenview's urban forest.
They ranged from simple acts such as proper mulching patterns around trees - spread mulch in a flat circle around the trunk, not bunched around it like a "mulch volcano" - to creating partnerships with organizations such as the Openlands TreeKeepers program to facilitate public involvement with the tree canopy.
As evidenced by its Tree City USA honor, Glenview is in good shape, but an overall goal is to increase its tree canopy to 37% of coverage by 2032. That figure currently stands at 34.8%.
"I think it's super-important when we're talking about climate control and the benefits that these trees can have for us," said trustee Mary Cooper.
"It's not just that we get the beauty of all these trees in our town, but it really does help with the climate control. A lot of people complain about stormwater management and, as I read through the report, it's helpful for that, too."
The Urban Forest Management Plan resolution passed, the board then looked at a breakout aspect of it, one of the goals, a resolution for a tree-planting program. That likewise had previously earned a 5-0 ENRC recommendation.
Implemented by applications to the village and staff evaluation on a first-come, first-served basis, it's a $50,000 cost-share plan intended to increase diversity and add at least 166 new trees to Glenview's canopy. It's for trees on private and public property, residential and commercial uses.
Residents may also request parkway tree plantings within village right of way at no cost by reaching Public Works, (847) 657-3030, or visiting glenview.il.us.
The tree planting program, focusing on areas hit by the emerald ash borer or places where tree canopy is thin, has applicants working with a landscaper or nursery to pick a tree from a list of preferred species and pinpoint a planting location. The applicant submits a receipt to the village and contacts staff to inspect the tree, which would happen in about 3 months after planting.
Reimbursement for the tree would be up to 50% of a maximum of $300 cost.
That resolution also earned trustees' 5-0 vote.
"Motion carries," Jenny said. "Two great programs."