The CommuniTree program, an initiative of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, is accepting applications for native trees from communities and public organizations for the fall planting season.
The trees must be planted on publicly accessible properties within Northwest Indiana's Lake Michigan watershed. Examples include parks, school grounds, libraries, hospitals, or municipally owned road right-of-way.
Applicants must commit to watering the trees on a weekly basis during the growing season over a two-year period to help the trees become established.
Applications, which are available on NIRPC’s website, are due Aug. 1.
CommuniTree also will provide another free tree care and maintenance workshop in mid-September. The half-day workshop is geared toward non-forestry professionals who either plant or maintain trees in their communities.
The CommuniTree program’s goal is to plant at least 1,500 native trees by fall 2020 to help offset urban tree canopy loss due to damage caused by the emerald ash borer. Funding for the project is through a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which was awarded to NIRPC by the USDA Forest Service.
