Winnetka Receives $10,000 Grant for Ash Tree Replacement

On February 16, 2011, the Village of Winnetka was selected to receive a $10,000 assistance grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to manage and recover from Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation. The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle, first discovered in Illinois in 2006, that kills native Ash trees by burrowing into their bark and destroying the trees’ ability to bring water from the roots to the canopy. Infested trees usually succumb within 2-3 years. These funds will help alleviate the financial burden of replacing infested trees and help combat future infestations by providing a diverse mix of tree species. A biologically diverse urban forest provides many environmental benefits such as cleaner air and water, reduction of storm water runoff, and reduced energy demand.

Winnetka is one of 58 communities statewide to receive these limited funds. “This will be a great boost for the community. We are very excited to see the benefits derived from the trees that will be planted with these funds,” stated Stephen Auth, assistant director with the Winnetka Public Works Department. The Village plans to use the funding to plant 59 new trees to replace some of the many Ash trees found to be infested with Emerald Ash Borer. The new trees will be selected specifically to complement the planting site and to diversify the urban canopy. Jim Stier, Winnetka’s Village Forester said, “We are grateful to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for orchestrating these grants locally. The Village will be able to plant all of these trees during the 2011/2012 Fiscal Year.”

For further information contact:

Steve Saunders, Director of Public Works, ssaunders@winnetka.org, (847) 716-3534, Stephen Auth, Assistant Director of Public Works, sauth@winnetka.org, (847) 716-3273