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SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – Governor Rod Blagojevich today announced 15 grants totaling more than $76,000 to communities to support their urban forestry efforts.

“Being good stewards of our city forests takes a lot of time and effort. These grants help communities take better care of the trees they have, and in some cases, allows them to expand their urban forest,” the Governor said.

The grants can only be used for new projects or expansions of existing projects. Communities contribute to their projects as well, providing at least half the cost. Projects typically funded include tree inventories, development of forestry management plans, tree care training for employees, public educational efforts, disaster recovery plans and insect or disease management plans.

Funding comes from the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program, which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources.

Local governments receiving these federal grants through a competitive application process include:

Dixon Park District in Lee County, $5,500 to develop and implement a tree ordinance, establish tree authority and conduct a small start-up project.

City of DuQuoin in Perry County, $1,000 to develop and implement a tree care ordinance, establish a local tree management authority and conduct a small start-up project.

Village of East Alton in Madison County, $3,000 to conduct a tree inventory, develop an urban forest management plan, train employees about tree care and conduct a public education project.

Foosland Park District in Champaign County, $1,000 to develop a tree ordinance.

Village of Forreston in Ogle County, $750 to conduct a tree planting project.

Village of Lindenhurst in Lake County, $7,998 to conduct a tree planting project.

Village of Mount Prospect in Cook County, $8,000 to conduct a tree planting project.

City of Nokomis in Montgomery County, $2,000 to conduct a tree inventory.

Town of Normal in McLean County, $4,831 to conduct a tree planting project.

Village of Northbrook in Cook County, $8,000 to conduct a tree inventory.

City of Northlake in Cook County, $8,000 to conduct a tree planting project.

Village of Oak Lawn in Cook County, $8,000 to conduct a tree inventory.

City of O’Fallon in St. Clair County, $4,000 to conduct a tree planting project.

Village of Schaumburg in Cook County, $8,000 to conduct a tree inventory.

Village of Skokie in Cook County, $6,000 to implement a new tree care strategy.

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