Earth Day is the day designated for fostering appreciation of the earth's environment and awareness of the issues that threaten it. Actually, Earth Day is one of two days, depending on when you choose to observe it. Some people celebrate Earth Day on the first day of Spring, which is the vernal equinox that occurs on or around March 21st. In 1970, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth. Since that time, Earth Day has been officially observed in April. At present, Earth Day is observed in 175 countries, and coordinated by the nonprofit Earth Day Network. The passage of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act are considered to be products associated with the 1970 Earth Day.

 

The Village of Lakemoor will be celebrating Earth Day on April 20, 2013 with a free tree giveaway at Morrison Park 231 West Rand Road from 12pm-2pm.

 

The Village would like to thank the efforts of Ralph Brindise for organizing this event.  

 

In April of 2012, the Illinois Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in the Village of Lakemoor. The Village has drafted and approved the Village of Lakemoor Emerald Ash Borer Control Program. The objective of the Plan is to minimize the destructive effects of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) on Lakemoor's ash tree population.

  

The review of our parkway trees has found over two hundred infected trees with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and other trees in poor conditions. In addition, we found thirty-seven infected ash trees which could be treated. The removal and treatment of these trees has already taken place. The Village has conducted the first round of tree replacement in the fall of 2012.

 

The Village has selected, based on the recommendations from our contractual arborist, a species of tree for planting this spring: Red Sunset Maple. As a result of the need to adhere to guidelines set forth related to the program and the need to focus on species diversification, residents will not be given the opportunity to select replacement species as this will be the decision of staff to insure adherence to the goal of a diversified parkway tree population.

The replacement trees would have been of 2" to 2 ½" caliper. Residents were being afforded the option to upgrade the caliber size of the replacement tree. The cost difference would have been at the expense of the resident. Thanks to the diligent work of Village Staff, we have negotiated an upgrade to 3" - 3 ½" caliper tree at the same cost of the smaller tree. This tree replacement will be done at no cost to the adjacent property owner.

  

The second replacement round of trees in conjunction with the Village's Emerald Ash Borer Control Program will take place within the next two weeks. Adjacent property owner will be notified of the plantings.