Metro East Red Bud Dog Wood
We here at HeartLands Conservancy are all about trees. Why? Because trees are vitally important to our planet and our wellbeing. Find out the benefits of trees, what HeartLands is doing to raise awareness and help reforest Southern Illinois, and how you can help. The Benefits of Trees There are many benefits to trees. Most people are familiar with how trees produce oxygen through photosynthesis. But did you know that trees also clean our air by absorbing odors and pollutant gasses, such as carbon dioxide, through their leaves and storing it in their bark and roots? The benefits of trees don’t stop there! Trees are also crucial in… • Cooling streets and communities by providing shade and releasing water vapor through their leaves.
16 MEANDERINGS SPRING 2022
Tree Week Trees! Trees! Trees!
• Reducing electric bills by cutting air conditioning needs in the summer. • Lowering water bills by slowing water evaporation from the lawn. • Reducing water pollution and soil erosion. • Healing! Patients with trees outside of their hospital windows heal faster than those without trees. Neighborhoods that have more trees are less violent than barren ones. • Providing important food, shelter, and cover for wildlife. For example, the federally endangered native pollinator, the Northern Long-Eared bat roosts and forages in upland forest trees during the spring and summer.
Tree Week 2022 From Earth Day to Arbor Day, HeartLands Conservancy will celebrate trees in a BIG way! During Metro East Tree Week 2022, we will spread the message far and wide about the benefits trees provide, and there will be activities for people of all ages. Throughout the week, HeartLands Conservancy will also give over 175 trees to local communities. Friday, April 22 at 6:30 pm: Earth Day Exclusive White Oak Society Earth Day Tour of Poag Sand Prairie. Invitations will be sent to White Oak members. Monday, April 25: Community Tree Distribution Day Free trees for communities and community organizations for planting in public places.
