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Chicago’s tree canopy falls short compared with other cities, and in past years, the city planted fewer trees in neighborhoods on the South and West sides, according to an investigation.
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Pilot programs for tree ambassadors were launched in Little Village and North Lawndale, where volunteers were taught how to advocate for trees and to file 311 requests for viable planting locations.
The city has already planted more than 14,000 trees in historically marginalized and underserved communities. But ensuring the trees survive the next 3 years is crucial to the program’s success.
Chicago lags behind other cities in overall canopy coverage, and has planted fewer trees in lower income communities of color on the South and West sides, a Tribune investigation found.
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Tree ambassadors are part of Our Roots Chicago, the city’s $46 million initiative to plant 75,000 trees in five years. Chicago lags behind many other cities in overall canopy coverage.