PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: March 27, 2023
Contact: Michael Brown 309) 454-3169 x.11
The Ecology Action Center (EAC) successfully planted over 20,000 trees in the past two years due to the strong financial and volunteer support from the Bloomington-Normal and McLean County community. In order to reach the annual goal of planting 10,000 more trees fin 2023, the EAC is seeking contributions of time and financial resources through their website at Tree-Corps.org.
Trees reduce air pollution, sequester carbon emissions, create critical wildlife and pollinator habitat, cool summer temperatures in urban areas, and help protect local watersheds. The Tree Corps is an initiative led by the EAC with many community partners with the goal to plant at least 10,000 trees annually in the McLean County area. Where possible, trees are planted in urban areas in order to increase “tree equity”, that is, putting trees where they are needed the most for air quality improvement and other benefits for public health and quality of life.
For spring 2023, the EAC has planned several projects in order to reach the 10,000 tree goal:
- The Mike Hall Tree Project in Partnership with ParkLands Foundation at the Lexington Preserve
- Village of McLean planting
- Infill plantings at the Bloomington Normal Water Reclamation District
- Constitution Trail trees in Funks Grove with the Friends of the Constitution Trail
- Infill plantings at Heartland Community College
Donations and volunteers are needed to make this effort a success. To-date, this project has been funded completely through private donations. Online donation and volunteer signup are available at Tree-Corps.org. More details available by calling the Ecology Action Center at 309-454-3169.
The Ecology Action Center is a not-for-profit environmental agency with a mission to inspire and assist residents of McLean County in creating, strengthening and preserving a healthy environment. The EAC acts as a central resource for environmental education, information, outreach, and technical assistance in McLean County.
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