In 2021, with the help of hundreds of donors and volunteers and multiple partner organizations, the Ecology Action Center successfully led the planting of 10,000 new trees in McLean County under a new initiative called the Tree Corps. But that was just year one of a planned 10+ year effort; 2022 brings a new Tree Corps campaign–Putting Down Roots!
TREES DO IT ALL
Air quality improvement for public health
Carbon sequestration to reduce the impacts of climate change
Watershed protection
Increased habitat & food sources for native pollinators & other wildlife
Increased shade for cooling of urban areas
This year we have an additional focus ontree equity--our biggest two planting projects are in environmental justice areas in north Normal and west Bloomington where there is disproportionate exposure to air pollution. These tree plantings will help remove ozone and other pollutants from the air to benefit the health of residents living and working in these areas.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
The Ecology Action Center is seeking donations and sponsorships to make this large-scale tree effort happen. No donation is too small or too large whether you are covering the cost of one tree by donating $5 or 200 trees by donating $1000, it all makes a difference. Donations are currently being accepted at the EAC’s Tree Corps webpage at Tree-Corps.org.
The EAC invites groups to work together towards a collective fundraising goal by forming a Tree Teamwith friends, coworkers, family, or other groups. Setting a larger goal of $500 or $1000 for more trees is much easier to achieve as group and the EAC’s website makes Tree Team collaboration easy. Tree Teams are also encouraged to volunteer to help plant trees if possible. Full details on Tree Teams is available at Tree-Corps.org.
Tree Teams or individuals are needed to help with planting workdays to get the trees in the ground this spring. The first planting workdays are scheduled for April 9 and 10 at Heartland Community College. Full details and volunteer signup can be found at Tree-Corps.org. Upcoming workdays include sites at Sugar Grove Nature Center, ParkLands Foundation, Bloomington Normal Water Reclamation District, and sections of the Constitution Trail. Dates to be announced soon-- keep watching Tree-Corps.org!
The 2022 Tree Corps Putting Down Roots Campaign is a partnership between the Ecology Action Center, Heartland Community College, Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District, Sugar Grove Nature Center, ParkLands Foundation, and the Friends of Constitution Trail.
