I speak for the trees. Earth Day Events.

Driving through my city of Yorkville, Illinois, I noticed so many trees missing from the parkways. Where beautiful trees once stood, small stumps now remained. This was August of 2013.

I had not read anything about trees being removed, so I began with a letter to the local newspaper. "What's happening to all of our trees?"

I soon discovered that 1,600 trees were cut down due to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation. It was a city-wide decision to remove the trees. 

I felt disappointed for the trees. My next question was: "Are we going to replace them?" The reply was "No." 

My disappointment grew. I needed to learn more. I began to research trees. 

I learned that EAB was happening all over Illinois. That many cities applied for grants to help fund replacement trees. Yorkville did not apply for a grant.

Yorkville has a parkway tree program where they pay for 50% of 36 parkway trees annually. At that rate, it would take 45 years to replace the 1,600+ trees. 

I created a website for awareness. www.ispeakforthetrees.org
We hosted fundraisers at local businesses. Everyone was excited to help. There was a need to be filled and our mission was simple: buy trees. 

By the end of the year, we were able to buy 3 parkway trees from the city's parkway tree program as well as buy two dozen trees for local residents to plant in their yards. 

This year, my focus has become Earth Day, April 22.

I reached out to Menards, Home Depot, and Lowes with a request of a donation of seedlings for my city. I would love to publicly distribute 1,600 seedlings to everyone in Yorkville. I pray on this each night. 

We also have several community events for the trees on or around Earth Day, April 22, 2014: 

We have an event called: Tacos for the TREES. Donations will be accepted at a local restaurant, Salsa Verde, as well as everyone enjoying $1.00 tacos.

Later on that same day, we have: Ice Cream for the TREES. Ice Cream at Foxy's can be purchased and 30% of the proceeds will go to buy trees.

For every massage bought at Karma Skin + Massage, an oak tree seedling will be donated.

Sense of Samadhi is hosting Yoga for the TREES on April 27th in Town Center Park. Free yoga for the community. Simply bring a donation to help buy trees. 

Sugar Grove Family Fun Center also is having a special, exclusively for the TREES on Earth Day, Tuesday: April 22. $2.00 off all go-kart rides. One per person. simply mention: "I speak for the trees." Open 10am til 10pm.

My thoughts include creating a law. The Lorax Law is what I think it should be called. "No tree shall be cut down without a tree or seedling planted to replace it." It's simple. It's clear. I am surprised something like that doesn't already exist. I have reached out to Illinois State Representative Kay Hatcher to learn how to begin drafting a bill. 

The Lorax movie based on the book by Dr. Seuss has been our theme. The book talks about people using up all of our natural resources without giving back. The people in the book end up living in a plastic bubble of a town, and have to purchase air. Finally, the hero of the story teaches people about trees and their importance. 

Did you know that two trees provide enough oxygen to supply a family of four for a lifetime? How much oxygen have we lost as a city with these trees being removed? I was diagnosed with asthma in June of 2013. While I don't necessarily think there is a correlation, I believe it's all relative. 

My hope for Earth Day is that everyone, everywhere can speak for the trees. Plant a tree. Thank a tree. 

I am Jen Slepicka. I speak for the trees.