News From The Field

A Great Return On Investment

2009-11-23T11:15:00.000-06:00

Trees are an easy way to increase a neighborhood's economic value and psychological well-being. Trees increase the property and resale value up to 15 percent higher than properties without trees. In addition to economic benefits, trees have a positive psychological effect. Views of nature reduce the stress response of both body and mind, reducing aggression and increasing calm. People with views

Can Nature Make People Nice?

2009-11-02T11:18:00.000-06:00

A new study argues that paying attention to the natural world can cause people to feel better and behave better. Viewing nature has health and social benefits. 370 test subjects exposed to natural environments valued community and close relationships and were more generous.Full Article

Economic Stimulus Opportunities

2009-10-26T11:37:00.002-05:00

ASLA has produced a guide to economic stimulus opportunities that outlines U.S. federal government stimulus opportunities for landscape architects and other design professionals. Federal opportunities are organized into the following sections: transportation, water, sustainable design, climate change, small business, and government procurement.Full article

Wasps used to monitor emerald ash borer - UPI.com

2009-10-05T10:37:00.000-05:00

Maine has developed an early-warning system to spot infestations of the emerald ash borer beetle. Because the invasive beetles are nearly impossible to detect in trees before it is too late, thousands of volunteers with nets are catching wasps who may be carrying captured ash borer larvae back to their young.Full article

Fall IS For Planting

2009-09-17T10:31:00.000-05:00

With the right kind of weather, Fall is the ideal landscaping season. The early fall soil is usually warmer and mor workable than spring soils, and there can be more time to work outside. Cool air helps the plants avoid stress, and rains are usually just enough to povide moisture but not too muddy. Plants are slowing down and preparing for winter, and respond well to transplanting...(click here

Plant Native - Save Water!

2009-09-17T10:07:00.006-05:00

Native trees use half the water of non-natives according to ecologists.read the full article hereMore information on plants native to Northern Illinois & Southern Wisconsin

Electric Trees

2009-09-14T12:10:00.002-05:00

Did You Know ... There's enough power in trees for to run an electronic circuit.Full article

Database for Conservation Easements

2009-09-14T10:27:00.002-05:00

A collaborative initiative to create the first national database of conservation easement information will provide a comprehensive picture of the estimated 40 million acres of private lands that have been voluntarily protected for future generations of Americans.Conservation easements are legal agreements voluntarily entered into between landowners and conservation entities (agencies or land

Illinois to receive $2.8M stimulus for forests

2009-09-14T10:24:00.003-05:00

"Illinois will receive more than $2.8 million in federal stimulus money for forest health protection projects.U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the funding Wednesday. Two projects in Illinois are among 78 projects selected for funding in 30 states.The money -- nearly $89 million nationally -- will go toward restoring health to forests on federal, state and private lands in areas

Livable Communities Resource Guide

2009-08-31T10:26:00.003-05:00

"ASLA created a new online resource guide on livable communities. The guide contains lists of organizations, research, concepts and projects related to livable communities, and includes sections on: sustainable land use, place making, green schools, sustainable housing, sustainable employment growth, and health, safety, and security. Developed for students and professionals, the resource guide

The Economic Benefits of Parks

2009-08-31T10:25:00.006-05:00

The economic benefits of urban parks shouldn’t be underestimated. A 2003 study found that real estate values were higher on blocks closest to well-maintained parks. A 2007 study found that New York's Central park accounted for $395 million in economic activity. Parks also have environmental benefits and provide valuable ecosystem services.Full article

Can Urban Trees Reduce Crime?

2009-08-17T11:24:00.001-05:00

New research suggests that trees can reduce crime. The study found that buildings with high levels of greenery had 52 percent fewer crimes and medium levels of greenery had 42 percent fewer crimes when compared to buildings with no greenery. The study also found that students perform better when surrounded by trees and children with attention disorders can minimize their symptoms by spending time

Green Community Makeover Movement

2009-08-17T08:05:00.000-05:00

Hundreds of contractors, distributors, and retailers installed more than 25 sustainable landscape projects July 17-18 during the first-ever Extreme Green Community Makeover in Sugar Grove, IL. The event was the prototype and official launch of Aquascape’s “Green Community Makeover Movement.”Read the article

Greenroofs Save Water

2009-08-17T07:50:00.000-05:00

Greenroofs can make your city more environmentally friendly. Many American cities are beginning to incorporate them into their planning ordinances because they recognize that, planting a rooftop garden can offset heat, increase city biodiversity and decrease stormwater runoff. Studies show that a greenroof can retain from 30-75 percent more water from storms than a building without one. Read

Food for Thought...

2009-08-14T14:03:00.000-05:00

3000 years ago, not only did the Maya people practice forest management, but when they abandoned their forest conservation practices it was to the detriment of the entire Maya culture.Read More

White Pages Look To Go Green

2009-08-14T09:47:00.000-05:00

"Each year, an estimated 5 million trees are cut down just to publish the White Pages phone book. It's hard to cut down on the environmental harm because many states require phone companies to publish and deliver white pages phone books to every landline subscriber. On Wednesday, Whitepages.com, an online directory, released a survey of 1,000 adults showing the great majority of people want laws

New Remote Sensing Technology Utilized in Wisconsin

2009-08-14T09:37:00.001-05:00

For the first time, hyperspectral imaging (HSI), a cutting-edge remote sensing technology, was applied to a species-specific forestry application.With the support of RFP Mapping LLC and its partners, David Sivyer, Forestry Services Manager for Milwaukee, WI, was able to map all of the ash trees within his jurisdiction.WDNR

Press room

2009-07-09T08:36:00.001-05:00

Introducing our new Press Room!This is where you will find links to press releases, articles and information about where you can find us 'In The News'.

Would You Rather...?

2009-07-06T12:45:00.016-05:00

Which one would you rather see out your living room window?An article in the Green Inc. Blog (New York Times), discusses the idea of building synthetic trees (with a price tag of over $30,000) to scrub CO2 from the air.My question is: What's wrong with the real thing?

Legislation

2009-07-06T11:16:00.015-05:00

American Clean Energy & Security Act of 2009This Act, passed by the House of Representatives, is comprised of two separate pieces of legislation focused on using trees and green roofs to reduce energy use–The Energy Conservation Through Trees Act - This legislation assists energy companies in planting shade trees to reduce energy usage.Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN)

Green Tech - July Report

2009-07-06T10:08:00.006-05:00

Plants are an investment in the health of our global environment as well as individual property values. Proper handling can insure a healthy return on investment. From digging to planting, every step in the transplanting process is important.We prepare our trees for their trip to your landscape long before we dig them, with periodic transplanting and root pruning to maximize the roots in the soil

Rooftop Forest

2009-07-02T12:26:00.001-05:00

Five stories above the streets of Manhattan, Austrian pine and and dwarf mugo pine have transformed an urban rooftop into a northern forest. More than 100 25-35' tall trees were lifted onto the building by a crane. Resembling an unspoiled patch of nature, these trees improve storm-water retention, provide insulation, improve air quality and increase property value not only to itself, but also the

NYC’s Living Tree Museum

2009-07-02T07:15:00.000-05:00

Artist Katie Holten created the Living Tree Museum, which includes 100 selected trees on the stretch of boulevard that connects Manhattan to the parks of Northern Bronx. Each tree is labeled with its name in English, Spanish, and Latin, and tagged with a number to dial in order to hear that tree’s story. Holten selected professors, activists, geologists, and landscape architects to tell each “

Native Plants Bring Wildlife To The Garden

2009-06-03T10:37:00.005-05:00

"Many ornamental plants common to American yards are exotic species that local bugs haven't evolved to munch on. In his book Bringing Nature Home, entomologist Doug Tallamy encourages gardeners to invite bugs, birds and other wildlife back by planting native species." NPR

Chicago Gateway Green

2009-05-28T08:20:00.011-05:00

100 TreesOn April 25th, nearly 150 volunteers, led by Gateway Green planted 100 trees on two empty lots at 25th & Lowe. Mayor Daley spoke at the event of the importance of greening the city.View a video of the planting day.Breakfast with the MayorThis year's Chicago Gateway Green 'Breakfast with the Mayor' celebrated 10 years of greening Chicago's roadways and the launch of their Tree Partnership