The greatest oak tree was once a little nut who held it's ground.

I am looking at a tiny acorn in my son's hand. Full-grown, it's enough oxygen for two adults. It's environmental protection. It cleans the groundwater. But right now today, it's just a teeny tiny acorn, with so much potential. 

When I was a little girl, it was suggested that someday we'd buy clean water. I balked at the idea. How absurd, I thought. But here we are, in 2014, buying clean, filtered water. 

In the movie The Lorax, buying clean air is suggested. Is that too a truth for our future? 

I am completely baffled at the idea that we are taking trees down without replacing them. It's happening everywhere. At the rate we are going, we will deplete them. THAT IS A FACT. 

What are we doing to protect the trees? Subdivisions and highways coupled with environmental factors (Emerald Ash Borer as of recent) are contributing factors to the large number of trees being cut down. 

Yorkville lost 1,600 trees. They were cut down due to EAB. More were cut down for the Rt. 47 expansion. They were not replaced. Other cities neighboring ours have replacement programs and/or funds that they applied for through the state. Yorkville does not have a replacement program.

You know how I learned of this? I complained about it in a letter to the editor in the local newspaper. Finally someone cued me in. I had to do some research to make this discovery.

"Where are our trees?" I asked. I noticed all the stumps where trees once stood. I was disappointed enough about it to do something. I threw together a website to tell others and started researching bugs and trees. 

www.ispeakforthetrees.org

Funny story, I have a huge walnut tree in my yard. A few of these trees actually. In the Fall season, golfball-sized walnuts come crashing to the ground from these trees. The acidity ruins most vegetation. Planting is a challenge. I swear I need a football helmet to run from the house to my car, for safety. I have had serious thoughts about how life could be better without that tree. 

Since beginning this project, I've discovered the importance of trees. It's invaluable. 

Cities are beginning to map their trees on computers- what sort of tree, the location of the tree- in order to protect it and take an inventory and maintain a variety. The idea is brilliant.

I reached out to State Representative Kay Hatcher in regards to a bill proposal to protect the trees. Simply put, the proposal would be "cut one down, put one back." 

I received a reply today: "We admire your bill proposal. It is simple, straight forward, and takes a common sense approach. The deadline for filing new legislation was in February so this proposal cannot move forward this year; however, it is very possible that Representative Hatcher’s successor would be willing to file it next year." I was grateful for the reply. 

On Earth Day, April 22, we had a successful Earth Day celebration with three events supporting the Trees of Yorkville. Tacos for the TREES was a Salsa Verde. Ice Cream for the TREES was a Foxy's Ice Cream. We also had go-karts for the TREES at the Sugar Grove Family Fun Center. Totals are still rolling in. Tacos for the the TREES raised $103. in donations. 

Fundraising through www.ispeakforthetrees.org will continue from April 1st-September 1st each year until a sustainable solution is found. 

May 16th is "Love a tree day." We are gearing up for more events on and around that date. 

Karma Skin and Massage Studio is donating one oak tree for every massage in the month of April. www.karmamassagestudio.com

Also, join us for Yoga for the TREES in Town Center Park in Yorkville on Sunday, April 27th at 1pm. Cost: Bring a donation for the trees. Children are welcome. www.senseofsamadhi.com 

If you have an idea for a fundraiser at your business or would like to display a donation jar, contact us on our website: www.ispeakforthetrees.org 

Stay tuned for more good things for the trees. 
Thank you for the continued support!