Great lakes restoration initiative increasing urban forestry resilience through community stewardship

This $300,000 Project Grant awarded by the USDA Forest Service R9-Eastern Region under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664) is funding the "Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Increasing Urban Forestry Resilience Through Community Stewardship" project. The prime awardee, The Morton Arboretum, a non-profit organization, will lead the initiative to enhance urban tree canopies, increase climate resilience, and facilitate collaborative community forestry efforts. Key activities include providing training and resources to empower community members as urban forest stewards, distributing tree and shrub saplings, and partnering with local non-profit Faith In Place to conduct outreach, education, and environmental conservation projects. The goals are to mitigate stormwater, promote species diversity, and build resilience against extreme weather events in the target communities. This project runs from August 2023 through November 2026.