The Village of Park Forest is adding to its tree canopy by repurposing the Christmas trees that are currently on the Village Green. In the past, the Village would dispose of the trees, but now it is giving back to the environment by replanting them in various parks throughout Park Forest.

Sustainability Coordinator Carrie Malfeo said adding trees to the Village's tree canopy is a win-win situation.

"Park Forest's tree canopy helps reduce flooding, captures carbon from the air to support better air quality, has a cooling effect and promotes biodiversity in animal and insect populations," Malfeo said. "Adding the trees to the community from this annual tradition benefits Park Forest far beyond the holiday season."

Malfeo added that repurposing the trees in the Village Green also aligns with Park Forest's Climate Action and Resilience Plan, with one of the goals being to maintain and increase the tree canopy. 

The plan also includes:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emission levels by 26 percent by 2025.
• Reducing the risk of climate impacts on Park Forest's resources and infrastructure.
• Increasing social and economic resilience.

"Park Forest is one of the few communities in the southern suburbs to have a Climate Action and Resilience Plan in place to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 26% below 2010 emission levels by 2025," Malfeo said. "This plan is used to guide decisions to achieve this goal. The Recreation, Parks, and Community Health Department's choice of live trees to serve dual purposes is just the latest example of many actions this Village takes to reduce the impacts of climate change in our community and beyond."

Please check out the Sustainability section of the Village website to learn more about programs, services, opportunities, and resources.