Village of Skokie, USDA Forest Service Kick Off Community-wide Initiative to Plant Hundreds of Trees in Skokie

SKOKIE, IL - Officials from the Village of Skokie, USDA Forest Service, and GreenLatinos joined representatives of Masjid Madinatul Uloom on Monday to celebrate the launch of an urban tree planting initiative that will bring hundreds of new trees to Skokie over the next five years.

In 2023, the Village was awarded a $327,740 Urban Forestry Grant provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program in partnership with GreenLatinos. The grant, secured with support from the Village’s Beautification & Improvement Commission, will advance Skokie’s Environmental Sustainability Plan goal of increasing tree canopy coverage Village-wide by funding a new initiative to plant 450 free trees on non-Village-owned properties over the next five years. Areas that meet the federal government’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) criteria are being prioritized, followed by other areas of Skokie with a high percentage of low- and moderate- income households.

The Village kicked off its program on Monday with a ceremonial tree planting at Masjid Madinatul Uloom, 7401 Lincoln Ave., which received 18 new trees as part of the program, including native swamp white oaks and hackberries. An additional five trees will be planted on site in the spring.

“The Village is excited to partner with the USDA Forest Service, GreenLatinos and local community partners, including Masjid Madinatul Uloom, to plant hundreds of trees across Skokie over the coming years,” said Mayor George Van Dusen. “Trees are at the root of cleaner, greener, and healthier neighborhoods. This grant will greatly aid our efforts to increase tree canopy coverage from 25.5 percent to 31 percent by 2040, a key strategy of the Village’s Environmental Sustainability Plan.”

For every tree planted on private property through the program, the Village will plant at least one additional tree on a Village parkway or Village-owned right-of-way in a CEJST-designated or other priority area, with the goal of planting 1,065 trees overall. This fall, the Village has partnered with Middleton School, Park Lincoln Condominium Association, East Prairie School and Masjid Madinatul Uloom to plant 50 native trees in Skokie.

“We are thrilled to see the partnership between GreenLatinos and Village of Skokie to implement the Urban and Community Forestry grant that will support planting and maintenance of 450 trees to help mitigate urban heat island effects and improve air quality,” said Andria Weeks, USDA Forest Service Associate Deputy Chief of State, Private and Tribal Forestry. “The new trees planted at the Masjid Madinatul Uloom and across Skokie will provide healthier and more vibrant environments for years to come.”

A single mature tree can intercept over 12,000 gallons of rainwater annually and save homeowners up to 56 percent in air conditioning costs. Trees also provide intangible community benefits – shaded streets increase pedestrian activity, which improves physical and mental health, creates more sociable and safer neighborhoods, and enhances economic vitality.

“GreenLatinos is proud to partner with USDA in delivering the USFS Urban & Community Forestry funding to non-profit organizations and municipalities like the Village of Skokie. This program is integral in our efforts to serve frontline communities as a resource intermediary through our Justicia y Equidad Fund (JyEF). In 2024 the JyEF will deliver over $22.5M to directly impacted, disenfranchised, and disinvested communities to engage in Urban Greening and tree planting work, increasing tree canopy to lower extreme heat temperatures and clean the air in the communities that need it the most,” said Mark Magaña, Founding President & CEO, GreenLatinos. “The Village of Skokie project will not only plant hundreds of trees, but it will also serve a diverse mix of faiths and students through meaningful and intentional community engagement.”

“As we plant these trees, we plant seeds of peace, unity, and sustainability for generations to come,” said Masjid Madinatul Uloom Imam Syed Ahmed Ali. “Through planting trees, we not only beautify our surroundings but strengthen the bonds that hold our community together.”

Skokie has a longstanding commitment to its urban forest, achieving Tree City USA designation every year since 1985. Skokie community members who have space in their yard or on their parkway are encouraged to consider planting a new tree. The Village offers free parkway trees for any parkway with space. In addition, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago offers free tree saplings for homeowners as part of its Restore the Canopy program.

Learn more about the Urban and Community Forestry Grants, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act.

City of Hanford Kicks Off Hanford Goes Green Project with First Tree Planting at Hanford Softball Complex

USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore helps celebrate start of transformational urban tree project

HANFORD, CA – The City of Hanford turned over a new leaf to a greener and healthier future by planting the first of hundreds of trees as part of its Hanford Goes Green Project (Hanford se Vuelve Verde) at the Softball Complex on Wednesday.

Last year, the City received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. Hanford was one of nearly 400 Urban and Community Forestry Program grant recipients nationwide, and the only awardee in California’s Central Valley. Over the course of the next several years, the Hanford Goes Green Project will include a comprehensive tree inventory, canopy assessment, the planting of 600 trees in disadvantaged communities throughout the City and the development of the City’s Urban Forest Master Plan. The Hanford Softball Complex, which draws thousands of visitors every weekend, was selected as one of the tree planting sites because of its significant tree loss due to bark beetle damage and drought. Other planting sites will include Hanford’s historic downtown and the southern portion of the City, where residents face a range of barriers to a better quality of life.

“Urban trees boost public health, safety, and sustainability for all,” USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said on Wednesday. “On scorching hot days, their canopy can reduce temperatures by approximately 10 lifesaving degrees, which is of great value to communities here in the Central Valley. The trees planted here at the Hanford Softball Complex will support all those goals for generations to come, especially providing shaded areas for children to play in, which can promote physical and emotional health.”

The City’s tree planting partners will include Tree Fresno, the Urban Tree Foundation and Sequoia Community Corps, a local nonprofit providing job training and education to young adults. GreenLatinos, a passthrough partner for theForest Service, will ensure Hanford’s historically underserved residents are included in the project.

“Through this grant program with the City of Hanford, we are ensuring that there is collaboration between the federal and local governments and the local communities on the ground, so that historically underserved communities are at the forefront of developing solutions for tree equity in their own neighborhoods, and will participate in the planning and implementation process with municipal governments to ensure their climate resiliency,” said GreenLatinos Urban Greening Initiative Coordinator Amanda Pantoja.

The City of Hanford contends with significant social and environmental issues. The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) shows that a large portion of the City is classified as disadvantaged, meaning its residents are socially or environmentally overburdened. According to EJScreen (the EPA’s environmental justice mapping and screening tool), the City is in the 99th national percentile for particulate matter, 95th percentile for ozone and 90th percentile for wildfire risk. Its Tree Equity Score (TES) is among the lowest in the region, and more than half of the City’s Census Blocks are in the highest priority category for tree equity.

“Hanford is a diverse and growing community with many challenges and needs,” Hanford City Manager Mario Cifuentez said. “This urban tree planting project will help the City of Hanford mitigate extreme heat, conserve energy, provide shade, absorb storm water, create wildlife habitat, and filter air and water. An urban tree canopy leads to better health outcomes, economic opportunities and jobs, and increased property values.”

WATCH a highlight video of the Hanford Goes Green Kickoff Event.

WATCH the full press conference.

Learn more about the Urban and Community Forestry Grants, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act.

Corazón Latino Kicks Off Farmers Market Season, Convening Community Through Sustainable Foods while Promoting One Health

Washington, DC— Corazón Latino is excited to announce the re-launch of our collaboration with the USDA Farmers Market, a celebration of fresh, sustainable foods that nurture both our bodies and our Madre Tierra. As part of our ongoing commitment to the health of our communities and our Madre Tierra, this market is more than a source of nutritious produce—it’s a space to reconnect with nature, build community, and promote the concept of One Health.

Corazón Latino promotes One Health, recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and the environment. 

Felipe Benítez, Executive Director of Corazón Latino, shared, “Our USDA Farmers Market activities celebrate the deep connection between healthy communities and a healthy planet. By convening our communities around sustainably sourced, locally grown foods, we honor our commitment to nurturing both people and the land. In celebration of Latino Conservation Week, Corazón Latino invites everyone to visit our table, explore our Urban and Community Forestry projects, join conservation activities, and enjoy live music by local artist,  Michael Bard!

The USDA Farmers Market at the USDA Headquarters offers an opportunity to more than 30 farmers, ranchers and small food businesses to sell their products directly to those who work, live, and visit the Nation’s Capital. We are proud to continue our partnership with the USDA in this important initiative and look forward to growing this shared vision of sustainability and community well-being.

For more information about the USDA’s Farmers Market and Corazón Latino's work, visit Corazonlatino.us

Corazón Latino Celebrates Latino Conservation Week with Key Initiatives

Corazón Latino is celebrating Latino Conservation Week with two major events: the launch of our Farmers Market season, featuring fresh, sustainable foods and community health activities, where attendees can explore our Urban and Community Forestry projects, participate in conservation activities, and enjoy live music by Michael Bard; and a free, one-hour environmental training webinar, ¡Explora tu Ambiente!, in partnership with Project Learning Tree, aimed at helping educators engage Latino and multilingual learners in nature.

What:
Corazón Latino is celebrating Latino Conservation Week with two major events:

1. Farmers Market Kickoff:  Urban and Community Forestry projects, conservation activities, and  live music by Michael Bard.

2. Environmental Training Webinar: ¡Explora tu Ambiente! – A free, one-hour webinar in partnership with Project Learning Tree, designed to help educators engage Latino and multilingual learners in nature.

When:

• Webinar: September 18, 2024, 5:30 – 6:30 PM ET

• USDA Farmers Market: September 20th Kickoff 

Where:

• Farmers Market: Washington, DC

• Webinar: Register at tinyurl.com/Explora-tu-Ambiente

Felipe Benítez, Executive Director of Corazón Latino, stated, “Our activities during Latino Conservation Week are rooted in our One Health philosophy and honor the deep connection between healthy communities and a healthy Madre Tierra.”

For more information, visit CorazonLatino.us.

Corazón Latino Celebrates Latino Conservation Week with National Environmental Training Initiative

The collaboration between Corazón Latino and Project Learning Tree combines cultural insight and environmental education to advance stewardship in diverse communities.

Washington, D.C. – Corazón Latino, in collaboration with Project Learning Tree, proudly announces an upcoming training of over 150 environmental leaders and organizations from across the country, marking a key initiative in Latino Conservation Week. This partnership is committed to equipping local leaders with the tools and resources necessary to engage Latino and multilingual communities in environmental conservation efforts.

The focus of this year’s initiative, ¡Explora tu Ambiente! Nature Education for Latino and Multilingual Learners, highlights the importance of accessible environmental education. This free 1-hour educator webinar, scheduled for September 18, 2024, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM ET, will provide participants with strategies to engage Latino and multilingual learners in nature both indoors and outdoors.  

“Our virtual training is part of a larger movement to make nature education more inclusive and reflective of the diverse communities we serve because this is where the change begins,” said Felipe Benitez, Founding Executive Director of Corazón Latino. “We're building a future where conservation and environmental justice lead the conversation, driving greater understanding, more robust solutions, and more widespread impacts.”

Corazón Latino welcomes attendees to ¡Explora tu Ambiente! in honor and in celebration of Latino Conservation week. The webinar will include a presentation of PLT’s "Explora tu Ambiente," guide, engaging activities, and recommendations for connecting with Latino communities, building authentic partnerships, and ensuring inclusivity in programming. Join by registering at: tinyurl.com/Explora-tu-Ambiente. 

We wish you an extraordinary Latino Conservation Week. 

Corazón Latino Commends President Biden's Executive Order Strengthening Education and Empowering the Latino Community

For Immediate Release

July 19th, 2024 I Contact: Karina@corazonlatino.us

Corazón Latino Commends President Biden's Executive Order Strengthening Education and Empowering the Latino Community

Washington, D.C. – President Biden signed an Executive Order (EO) establishing the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI). The EO will enhance the capacity of HSIs and universities seeking HSI status to participate in Federal programs and improve campus resources. It will also promote STEM education and strengthen Federal recruitment efforts for HSI students. Additionally, the EO will increase support for Dreamers and their families.

Felipe Benítez, Executive Director of Corazón Latino, stated, “Latinos are the future of this nation- we account for 53% of the population growth and our children represent 30% of kids in public schools. We recognize education as an engine for our economic mobility and we’re proud that this administration is making targeted investments in our future. The HSI, climate investments through the Justice 40 Initiative, and reduced healthcare costs exemplify a robust approach to supporting our community’s wellbeing.”

Karina Martínez, Corazón Latino staff and UCLA Latino Alumni Association Board Member, added, “By strengthening HSIs, we are transforming our educational and economic landscapes. The focus on HSIs is already serving as a catalyst for universities to boost their Latino outreach, enrich campus life programs, and increase access to high-paying and STEM careers. The result is a Latino graduate population poised to lead across all fields, from science and medicine to politics, elevating Latino leadership across the nation. This EO strengthens our country.”

For more information visit: ed.gov/hispanic-initiative.

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Corazón Latino is a national non-profit organization that seeks to generate social, environmental, and conservation initiatives that foster natural resource stewardship. Corazón Latino mobilizes the passion, love, unity, solidarity, and resources of individuals, communities, organizations, and government entities to advance the common good. Corazón Latino embraces the ONE Health approach by fostering collaboration and synergy among diverse sectors to address the interconnected well-being of people, animals, plants, and the environment. Learn more at: CorazonLatino.us.