A leisurely summer walk in a tree-lined neighborhood often can be its own reward. One this weekend, however, could result in significant benefits for an entire community.
The Midlothian Tree Walk, hosted by the village of Midlothian, Midlothian Public Library and Midlothian Park District, in partnership with the Morton Arboretum, aims to promote awareness of the many benefits of trees to a community and build a core group of tree stewards within the village.
Morton Arboretum arborist and community trees project coordinator Emily Okallau will lead participants from 10 a.m. to noon July 15 on a 1.7 mile loop beginning at 148th St. and Pulaski Road.
Okallau said she will introduce the walkers to the trees that live and grow along the route, teaching participants to identify species of trees and discussing their importance in the community, what kinds of habitats trees provide and how individual trees become “part of the greater whole.”
“Our thought is that if we can teach (participants) why trees are important … the more knowledge, the more educated, the more likely they are to get involved in caring for trees,” Okallau said.
Okallau hopes to stimulate more interest in trees by citing some of the scientific research on their many benefits. She said studies show trees provide cleaner air and beneficial psychological effects such as reduced stress, reduced behavior disorder symptoms in children and quicker healing for patients who can see trees outside their hospital window.
Trees may even increase self-esteem, according to research, she said.
“If you live on a tree-lined street, for example, you feel seven years younger and $10,000 richer,” Okallau said.
Okallau said the program is in its first year and is being introduced in about 10 communities or organizations in the Chicago area, including Woodlawn, Riverside and West Chicago. She said each community has its own specific issues and needs.
“I want to adapt my program to whatever the needs of the community,” she said.
She said some communities may be dealing with the after effects of the Emerald ash borer, which has wiped out the area’s ash tree population, while others may be facing inadequate funding to care for the “urban forest.”
For Midlothian, flooding issues are the most pressing problem, and “planting water-loving trees in an area that experiences a lot of flooding” can “mitigate the problem,” Okallau said, and the “force of residents” can help.
Midlothian library director Jennifer Cottrill said a second phase of the program will be introduced at an informational meeting Aug. 19 at the library, 14701 S. Kenton Ave. Okallau will introduce the arboretum’s Community Tree Champions, a program which will train volunteers in green infrastructure and to become tree stewards in the village.
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“Our hope is that we would get a dedicated core of approximately five to 10 volunteers who would be interested in learning about tree inventorying, assessing the health of trees, learning what a healthy tree ecosystem is in our geographic region,” Cottrill said.
She said the Community Tree Champions would assist the village and park district, which don’t have the staff to carry out the work but recognize its usefulness. Okallau said she will “train the trainers” to educate others in the community.
“We’re really focused on creating advocates. It’s sort of our ultimate goal. We want people to advocate for trees in their own communities,” Okallau said. “We just want to build the next generation of tree lovers basically.”
More information on the program is with the Midlothian Library at 708-535-2027.
Ginger Brashinger is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.