THE URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN & TREE INVENTORY  

In 2021 The Park District of La Grange matched funds with an awarded $10,050 grant to complete a tree inventory and develop a management plan for its urban forest. The grant funds were provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forestry Service through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Urban and Community Forestry Core Grant Program and administered by The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI).

• The Park District of La Grange Urban Forest Management Plan was initiated in May 2022.
• It serves as an established guide and system to improve, protect, maintain, and diversify our 848-tree inventory with 94 species.
• The tree inventory gives a better understanding of the managed area by revealing the number of trees, their size, condition, species and locations.
• The inventory also identifies opportunities to increase planting, and has formed the development of the comprehensive, long-term Urban Forest Management Plan.
• The tree inventory and management plan further served as essential tools in the creation of a Tree Protection & Preservation Ordinance for the Park District of La Grange to regulate the maintenance and diversity of our tree canopy. 

VIEW URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

Tree inventory data was used to create an interactive tree map by utilizing GIS software. Once in the app, simply click on tree icons to reveal species and additional useful data.

 EXPLORE INTERACTIVE TREE MAP

THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR TREES

Trees are a vital element of our parks. They are a valuable resource that enhances the social and economic value of the community. Trees act as an important natural resource that protect the environment. Our priority is to ensure the care and diversity of the canopy, now and into the future.

• Trees provide oxygen, absorb CO2, and reduce heat.
• Trees absorb and filter storm water, reduce erosion and flooding.
• Attract wildlife and provide food and shelter.
• Supply shade and wind protection, serve as a natural buffer between neighboring land uses.
• Are a positive impact to public mental and physical health.
• Trees have a positive economic effect by increasing property values and making the village a more attractive place in which to live, visit, and do business. 

MISSION STATEMENT

It shall be the mission of this Urban Forest Management Plan to outline goals, budgets, and Arboricultural Best Management Practices for the management of the Urban Forest for the Park District of La Grange in order to increase canopy cover and maximize the benefits trees provide, while minimizing cost, and create a program to manage the Urban Forest for the greatest public good in a manner that is both financially and programmatically sustainable, while maintaining flexibility for future adaptive management.

Please email claudiagalla@pdlg.org if you are interested in learning more!

ARBNET ARBORETUM ACCREDITATION

The Park District of La Grange has been awarded a Level I Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism. The Park District of La Grange is also now recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants. More information is available at www.arbnet.org.