James Krohe Jr. grasped the critical importance of green infrastructure and the danger neglecting it when he wrote, “The problem is less how we build sewer systems than the way we build cities” (“Going against the flow,” Illinois Times, Aug. 11, 2011).
The Springfield Urban Forestry Commission clearly understands this and recognizes trees as a major workhorse in absorbing carbon, shading and softening urban walkways while filtering rainfall into our groundwater and away from our streets.
In response to local concern for tree loss, the Urban Forestry Commission was reestablished in 2019. In just two years, this team has managed to return Springfield to its Tree City USA status, achieve a net-zero tree loss, develop youth outreach and secure a $20,000 tree survey grant from Morton Arboretum, spearheaded by Susan Allen. The grant required ordinance changes, which were written by Jan Van Qualen and reviewed by Jeff Reim. This survey process enables city crews to locate and tackle tree issues in a planned efficient manner instead of responding to scattered isolated calls on tree issues. By taking a preventative approach versus a reactive one, the city will save both time and money.
The tree survey will provide a comprehensive database, including: GPS coordinates for the tree, address, description of where it is relative to the street and adjacent buildings, whether it is a residential, business or industrial area, the size of growing space, the species, each tree’s diameter at breast height (DBH), each tree’s condition rating and risk assessment, growing spaces where trees can be planted and appraisal of each tree’s replacement value.
Mike Brunk, urban community forestry program administrator for Illinois, is now citing Springfield’s Urban Forestry Commission’s approach as a standard to follow for other cities in the state as they utilize a database to establish schedules for crews to address problems ahead of time. By locating mature trees that need treatment and establishing a pruning schedule, trees can be saved instead of being destroyed. Not only do the mature and larger trees add to the city’s landscape, they also absorb more carbon and lower the urban temperature.
Jeff Reim hopes to do one quadrant a year, completing the city boundary within a reasonable timeframe. Brunk suggests that when each survey is complete with all sections covered, the survey process should start over again to keep current on any change. Also, as tree species and quantities are mapped out, specific species can be planted to avoid disease threats in this changing climate. By limiting the survey to one quadrant a year, it would spread out the expense and present a manageable annual expense.
An addition to the survey process will be the collaboration with four University of Illinois Springfield seniors in their Capstone project, a final piece for their bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. Amy McEuen, Urban Forestry Commission member and UIS professor, will be working with the students throughout the project. Students will be able to choose between three types of projects related to the survey: literature review, literature research or actively working in planting trees in the city.
Data collection at UIS will include a free software tool, named i-Tree, recommended by the U.S. Forest Service. It is a science-based collection of tools to quantify the benefits of trees, generating additional data regarding a tree’s impact on carbon sequestration, flood control, wildlife habitat, etc. One major benefit is its ability to quickly assess annually the overall tree gain and loss within a city’s boundary.
The data the students collect and the software can detail the economic and environmental value each tree represents. Numerous factors are evaluated, such as raising property values, consumer spending and restaurant patronage, a sense of place, noise reduction, soil conservation, reducing flooding/stormwater runoff, lowering utility costs and surrounding temperature on a property, walkway shading/urban heat island effect and air pollution removal.
Studies show that people prefer to live, walk and shop in shaded tree-lined streets and as people gather, that’s where business will profit. Trees also have this intangible beauty that has been scientifically proven to improve our mental health. What we wake and see each day matters.
The students will be completing their capstone project by the end of April, or early May. Steven Simpson-Black (Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission member and UIS student) is encouraged by the collaboration between the city and UIS, because it brings fresh insights into city development and increases the chance that these graduates would make Springfield their home.
Anne Logue is an instructor at the Springfield Art Association, past president of Sustainable Springfield and current board member.
This article appears in Abortion haven 2022.
