And one more picture. A big thank you to the Openlands team, who helped make sure this happened, despite all the setbacks from Covid.
A total of 15 trees were planted thanks to this program! Here are some pictures of the trees, and a bit about why we appreciate them so much!
The wheels are in motion! The team has collected signed forms for 13 new trees in the neighborhood. All of the addresses have been turned into Openlands, and now we're just waiting to be assigned a planting date. If you're interested in helping plant, please get in touch!
Plan / action items:
• Create a flyer highlighting the benefits of street trees and an overview of the project and how to get involved
• Translate the flyer into Polish and Spanish
• Drop flyers in neighbors’ mailboxes on our respective blocks
• Follow up by knocking on doors to convince neighbors to get trees and be part of the planting day. If people already have a street tree, ask if they are still willing to volunteer to help plant.
• Use the 3800 N. Nora block party in August as a time to further spread the word and recruit volunteers. Have a set time (with coffee and donuts!) on the day’s agenda for people to come meet the team and get their questions answered.
• Talk to the alderman to see how he can help spread the word.
• Create a Facebook event.
• Work through team members’ networks (church groups, community garden, etc.,) to get volunteers involved for planting day
• Create a plan to assist elderly neighbors with tree watering and maintenance, so they can get a tree even if they need help caring for it.
• Follow up with participants to have them sign the tree care agreement and find out their schedule for the site inspection and the fall planting day
• On planting day, provide coffee in the morning and have large coolers of water on hand to minimize waste and cost. Have a lunch after to celebrate.
• Ask for volunteers to check on the trees and to be a resource for help with watering, etc., should a neighbor be out of town or have other challenges.
• Distribute flyers to neighbors after the event to share what we learned and highlight the best ways to continue caring for our trees.
• Provide mulch the following spring to refresh our trees during spring clean-up. Have a team of volunteers assist.
Funds will be used for (very rough estimates):
• Food for initial kick-off meeting ($30)
• Printing/copying for flyers ($20)
• Donuts and coffee for informational table/session at block party ($20)
• Coffee, drinks, and pizza for planting day ($150)
• Watering cans or buckets for participants who do not have them or a nearby hose. We want to supply what the participants need for ongoing maintenance. ($50)
• Mulch for long-term care ($130) (assuming Openlands provides initial mulch)
• A wheeled bucket to make future mulching easier and for volunteers to use in spring as they go house to house to check on the trees. ($50)
• Assorted tools as needed by neighbors ($50)
The community will benefit by:
• Shade from the heat
• Cooling for nearby homes, which reduces summer electricity bills
• Lower urban air temperatures
• Stormwater management
• Beautification
• Community pride
• Reduce global warming
• Improve air quality
• Increase property values because of curb appeal
• Privacy
• Connection to nature
• Wildlife habitat
• Meet our neighbors
• Get exercise and spend time outdoors
• Improve our neighborhood
