Macomb, IL

In the spring of 2011 the City of Macomb applied for funding through the Illinois Emerald Ash Borer Educational Outreach Program to receive education about the Emerald Ash Borer and some funding to plant new trees in the community. The city forester, Tim Howe, could have easily planted the trees with his own staff and equipment. Instead, he involved a local youth group, PRIME (Pride and Responsibility in My Environment), in the process so they could learn about the benefits of trees and how to properly plant and care for them.

A planting site was chosen in the neighborhood where many of the PRIME volunteers live so that they would easily be able to participate and have a stronger tie to the trees. The youth, city staff, and adult volunteers with PRIME all worked together for a few afternoons in June and July to plant 23 new shade trees along an un-forested stretch of street that is heavily used by pedestrians. These trees will provide decades of benefits to the residents of the neighborhood and also a lifetime of memories for the youth involved with the planting.