The Ports of Indiana is doing its part to help reduce stormwater runoff, keep dust levels under control and increase biodiversity.
Port representatives, including CEO Vanta Coda and Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor Port Director Ian Hirt, joined volunteers representing businesses at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor, the Wildlife Habitat Council and the U.S. Forest Service in early May to plant several dozen deciduous and coniferous trees at the port.
Through an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Forestry Service announced a tree-planting program for the eight-state Great Lakes Basin last spring. The Wildlife Habitat Council obtained a grant from this program on behalf of the port.
“We are committed to regularly reviewing the environmental impacts of our facilities and services to make sure the greenest form of transportation becomes even greener,” said Ian Hirt, director of Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor Port. “Implementing an urban forestry technique like planting trees is a natural way for a port to manage heavy rains and we are pleased to have been selected to participate in this program.”
Ports of Indiana is a member of the United States and Canada Green Marine Environmental Program, a voluntary initiative dedicated to improving the industry’s environmental performance throughout North America.
The tree species planted throughout the port property include American Basswood, Princeton Elm, Kentucky Coffeetree, Shumard Oak, Eastern Red Cedar, Bur Oak, Black Gum, Black Walnut, and Shingle Oak. The trees came from Woody Warehouse Nursery Inc., in Lizton and Possibility Place in Monee, Ill.
