Grant money available for municipalities fighting EAB

LISLE, Ill. – The Morton Arboretum and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) have made $1 million in federal grant money available to municipalities to fight the devastating effects of emerald ash borer (EAB). The invasive pest already killed tens of millions of ash trees in North America and threatens the estimated 130 million ash in Illinois.

The Arboretum and MMC, which represents 272 Chicago-area mayors, posted a Request for Proposal on their websites for municipalities to apply for the grant money.

“The goal is to foster a sustainable urban forest by assisting municipalities in planning for and coping with EAB effects,” said Edith Makra, Arboretum Community Trees Advocate. “U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) has been a longtime champion in this effort.” 

Durbin spearheaded the effort to provide funding.

“Communities are struggling with the costs associated with combating the destructive beetle and the federal funding announced today will help alleviate the financial burden of removing infested trees and planting new ones,” Durbin said. “I am grateful for the work of The Morton Arboretum in assisting Illinois communities.”

David Bennett, MMC executive director said, "EAB crosses multiple city boundaries, meaning solutions should be addressed on a regional basis. This funding will be crucial for preserving quality of life in our region of Illinois by helping local governments restore diminished tree canopy."

Through the funding and the Arboretum’s expertise, municipalities can acquire trees to replace those threatened or destroyed by EAB, plant the trees using best practices, and bolster existing community tree care programs or help governments roll out such programs.

The newly-planted trees will provide a myriad of environmental benefits: clean air and water, reduced storm water runoff and erosion, and reduced energy demand as trees mitigate the heat-island effect. Additionally, the newly-planted trees will help to diversify the communities’ tree cover, helping to guard against losses due to future pests and diseases.

Among the economic benefits, the tree planting will help promote Illinois’ nursery industry through the sale of replacement trees. And for businesses, a study shows shoppers in well-landscaped business districts are willing to pay more for parking and up to 12 percent more for goods and services.

Municipalities wishing to apply for the grant money can access the RFP on the Arboretum’s website or the MMC website. Completed applications are due by January 21. Municipalities are expected to provide a 20 percent in-kind match for the total dollar value of their projects.