With support from Trees Forever and funding through the Illinois DNR, Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) in Palos Hills, Illinois has taken major steps forward in strengthening the health, safety, and long-term resilience of its campus landscape. Through the Illinois Community Canopy grant programs, the campus has addressed canopy risks while laying the foundation for more species variation, creating a sustainable and educational urban forest for generations to come.
The process began with a tree inventory and management grant. This foundational step provided the college with a detailed understanding of its existing canopy – what species were present, their condition, and where vulnerabilities existed. The campus developed a management plan that transformed guesswork into strategy. Instead of reacting to problems, MVCC could now prioritize actions, allocate resources efficiently, and plan for long-term resilience.
While removal is often a costlier aspect of canopy management, removing dead or hazardous trees is essential for safety and for making space for new growth. Through Trees Forever’s removal grant program, the college addressed trees impacted by age, disease, and pests like Emerald Ash Borer. This step not only reduced immediate risks but also cleared the way for a future plantings focused on resiliency.
Finally, funding through planting grants brought the process full circle. Guided by the inventory and management plan, the college conducted a series of planting projects choosing “right tree, right place” with a species mix to ensure long-term success. Volunteers, students, and staff became active participants, turning the project into a shared investment in the campus environment.
The impact extends beyond campus borders. MVCC’s experience illustrates how aligning funding for removal, inventory, and planting creates better outcomes than tackling each in isolation. For municipalities, park districts, and other institutions across Illinois, the model is straightforward: start with data, address risks strategically, and plan future growth with intention.