Glenview, Illinois, March 5, 2020 – The Glenview Park District is among 20 Illinois communities awarded grants administered by The Morton Arboretum in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, to help improve Illinois urban forestry.

The $3,000 Urban and Community Forestry Grant will enable the Glenview Park District to create a comprehensive Urban Forestry Management Plan. The District has more than 10,000 trees in addition to the inventory at The Grove. The Glenview Park District is required to match the grant funding, either financially or in-kind.

“Increasing the number of trees in our community and caring for them long-term are essential to our economy, safety and personal well-being. We are always planting new trees and this management plan will help guide us in our planting efforts well into the future,” said James Warnstedt, Superintendent of Park & Facility Services.

The 2019/2020 Urban and Community Forestry Grant program is made possible by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the USDA Forest Service to meet urban and community forestry goals throughout Illinois. The matching grants provide opportunities for public entities (municipalities, park districts, forest preserves etc.) to support any combination of tree planting, developing a management plan, completing a tree inventory, or developing a tree preservation / protection ordinance. Grantees are required to update their ordinances or pass new ones to meet required standards. The Morton Arboretum provides free assistance to ensure that communities are able to meet the requirements.

The grants were awarded through a competitive process, with over $217,000 in available funds distributed evenly north and south of highway I-80, and communities competing in their own geographic areas.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized outdoor tree museum and tree research center located in Lisle, Illinois. As the champion of trees, the Arboretum is committed to scientifically-informed action, both locally and globally, and encouraging the planting and conservation of trees for a greener, healthier, more beautiful world. On 1,700 acres are 222,000 plant specimens representing 4,650 different kinds of plants, along with specialty gardens, educational exhibits, the award-winning Children’s Garden,16 miles of hiking trails and the Visitor Center, featuring The Arboretum Store and the Ginkgo Restaurant and Café. The Morton Arboretum is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, welcoming 1.2 million visitors annually and serving 54,000 member households. Learn more at mortonarb.org.

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About the Glenview Park District The Glenview Park District serves over 50,000 residents including all of Glenview and Golf, small portions of Niles, Northbrook, Northfield and Skokie, and unincorporated areas beyond the village limits. The District owns, maintains and operates more than 845 acres. Connect with us at gleviewparks.org.