April 25, 2025
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Princeton awarded $10,000 grant geared towards improving urban forest

By Goldie Rapp

A view of what Park Avenue West in Princeton looked like following last year's historic derecho. The storm uprooted hundreds of trees throughout the city, which has been a concern for local arborists. (Photo courtesy)

PRINCETON — Princeton has been awarded a $10,000 50/50 matching grant from The Morton Arboretum that will allow for a tree inventory to take place this spring, and subsequently an urban forest management plan to help restore the tree canopy around the city.

The grant comes at a vital time for Princeton following last year’s Aug. 10 derecho that uprooted hundreds of trees throughout the city’s landscape.

The concern over the loss of trees is what influenced a tree committee to form in Princeton last year. The committee is now active and will be working on this new grant project.

The grant will allow for an arborist to visit Princeton during the first part of May to help with the inventory and management plan.

According to Theresa Wittenauer, city manager, the arborist will be looking at the types of trees that were damaged in the derecho last year, the ages of trees and other various factors to determine the hardy tree varieties that should be planted in the area that could withstand climate and other factors.

Wittenauer said the tree committee is currently seeking volunteers to help with the inventory scheduled in May.

The Morton Arboretum grant is funded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and USDA Forest Services. With this grant being a 50/50 matching grant, it means Princeton will also pay the other $10,000 needed for the $20,000 project.