Get to Know Your Urban Forestry Board this April!
Celebration Arbor Day 2012 (April 27) by getting to know and supporting the Blue Island’s Urban Forestry Board (UFB).
The UFB is a volunteer board who assists City Council and staff with forestry and landscaping issues in Blue Island. In addition to monthly meeting, members work hard on local tree related issues and activities - some of these efforts are visible, while many are behind the scenes. A short list of recent accomplishments include:
- Completed Tree City Application (2011)
- Blue Island Designated a Tree City (2011)
- Worked with Christy Webber on Western Ave Streetscaping (2011)
- Ash Tree Inventory (2011-2012)
- Awarded Emerald Ash Borer Grant (2012)
- Developing 2012 Summer Workplan
- Upcoming Summer 2012-Hosting 2 Saturday Work Days per month
- Maintaining plantings throughout the City (ongoing)
Blue Island’s UFB is looking for volunteers to help with 2012 work days. Upcoming dates include April 21 (planting), May 12 & 19 (Veterans Triangle), but help is needed through September. Please contact Perry Recker to sign up as a volunteer.
Urban Forests Create Vibrant Cities
A new report Vibrant Cities & Urban Forests: A National Call to Action, establishes a vision, highlights emerging trends, and culminates with a series of recommendations that can be applied to urban areas across the US.
Blue Island Designated Tree City USA - Just in Time for Arbor Day
Blue Island was recently recognized with a Tree City USA award designation by the Arbor Day Foundation. This award also contributes to Illinois’ rank as the second state in the nation for Tree City municipalities.
Arbor Day Planting 2011
With the Urban Forestry Board and the Public Works Department leading the way, Blue Island will also be recognizing Arbor Day and celebrating with the planting of a new tree on the observed holiday date April 29 or a following Saturday (4/30).
Nationally the 29th of April is recognized as Arbor Day. Last year the UFB celebrated Arbor Day with the planting of a Patriot Elm Tree in the front yard of the Blue Island Historical Society. The location of the 2011 planting has yet to be determined.
During April, the Forestry Board is planning site maintenance and cleanup action days on Saturday mornings of the 9th and the 16th at several of last year’s planting sites (City Hall, BI Video Parking Lot, Vermont & Rexford.) Plantings of trees and shrubs are being planned for several additional sites (TBA) which will likely take place on Saturdays April 30th - May 21, 2011. Check back for additional details.
Public Works Director designated official Forestry Manager
At it’s March 24 meeting, the UFB also decided to designate Blue Island’s Public Works Director (or his/her designee) as the City’s official Forestry Manager for the purpose of stepping up enforcement of the Tree Ordinance. Blue Island’s Tree Ordinance requires permits for any work on parkway trees, and levies fines for improper pruning such as the topping of trees which is forbidden by the ordinance.
For more information visit the Forestry Board web page. Our page also includes links to the Blue Island Tree Ordinance (94-301) and the 2010 Arbor Day Proclamation.
-Urban Forestry Board
