Engage in Your Community’s Urban Forests

Dear fellow tree advocates,
Perhaps you’ve heard of Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s (CMAP) major regional planning initiative, GoTo 2040.

This plan does the deep thinking for civic leaders who make decisions about our communities. The planning process is now in an intense phase of listening to the thoughts and opinions of anyone who wants to participate. I am bringing this to your attention in hopes that you speak up about your interest in robust a urban and community forest for the region.

CMAP is launching “Invent the Future,” a series of interactive activities that will make it easy for residents in the seven-county region to contribute their ideas for the future of the economy, transportation, housing, land use, open space, the environment and other quality-of-life factors. Throughout the summer, CMAP will ask residents how they think the future region should look.

The Arboretum’s mission statement says that future should look greener. Our goal is to encourage the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a green, healthier and more beautiful world.

You can share your thoughts in three ways:
1. CMAP is holding at least 50 community meetings through the beginning of September. There is one near you. But the most important one may be the session that will be held at The Morton Arboretum on August 27. Please come and talk about how important trees are to the quality of life. You can register here.

2. The CMAP website has a ton of information and also allows you to voice your opinion on key issues quickly. There are many opportunities on the website for further involvement. There are a series of strategy papers about key topics. A few overlap with trees and urban forestry. Feel free to comment on them.

3. Or, if you plan on enjoying a hot dog and an outdoor concert at any one of dozens on local community festivals in the region, stop by the interactive kiosks and make a difference without changing out of your flip flops and shorts.

This is important. And it will take a couple hours of your time. If we really want to have trees taken seriously as an important and valuable component of livable communities we have to speak up.

Tree advocates and professionals long for the day when trees are considered vital “green” infrastructure. This is a rare opportunity to try to put trees on par with storm water, transportation, housing and other considerations long considered more vital. The regional planners aren’t aware of how development and invasive pests affect the urban and community forest that affects our quality of life. Please forward this invitation. It won’t take too many of us to make some noise.

Need more convincing? Check out this link.

My favorite bumper sticker says, ”The world is run by those who show up.” Go!

Please let me know if you have a chance to participate in any way. I’d love to know about your experience. Let me know if you are especially interested and want to work with me further on GoTo 2040.

Edith Makra
Community Trees Advocate
The Morton Arboretum

Read more about the Arboretum’s Community Trees Program.

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