After the Scourge: Regions Struggle to Sustain Plantlife

The Chicago Region Trees Initiative provides a regional model for planting and protecting a sustainable natural environment in and around cities and communities.

1 minute read

April 29, 2016, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Chicago Lake Michigan Trees

Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock

Ted Gregory reports on the results of a recent tree census in the seven-county Chicago region that found more than 157 million trees, "a number that translates to about 21 percent of the area covered in trees and shrubs — well below the national average of 27 percent."

Gregory describes the effort of surveying and cataloguing the region's trees, part of the Chicago Region Trees Initiative, as the most comprehensive tree census of any large U.S. metropolitan area.

The Chicago region, like many other parts of the country, is recovering from the emerald ash borer scourge, which "experts say will have wiped out 13 million trees by the time it moves downstate." The state has also been devastated by the European buckthorn, "an invasive plant that shoves out the state's native oak." The Chicago Region Trees Initiative hopes to build a sustainable blanket of plant life in northeast Illinois, with the help of 13 partner organizations. The article includes more details about the early efforts of the initiative.

Monday, April 25, 2016 in Chicago Tribune

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.