Adapting Our Gardens to Climate Change Workshop - April 10
Co-chairs:

Eleanor Revelle - (er {at} revelle(.)net)
Neal Blair - (n-blair {at} earthlink(.)net)

If you want to become an active member of this Task Force or would like more info about the projects, please contact the co-chairs.

While other CGE task forces concentrate on reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases, the Forestry, Native Plants and Water group focuses on adapting to anticipated changes in climate. Many of our activities will also contribute to a lower carbon-footprint.

Higher temperatures and changes in the water cycle may stress Evanston’s urban forest, other vegetation and infrastructure. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, trees help mitigate global warming by storing carbon, reduce energy usage by shading buildings from the summer sun and providing wind-breaks in the winter, and reduce run-off from more frequent and severe rainstorms. Maintenance of our arboreal resource is critical.

Replacing turf grass with native plants and other sustainable landscaping features will help reduce the use of fossil fuel associated with turf maintenance, reduce water consumption (thereby saving energy required for water treatment), decrease polluted runoff, and enhance wildlife habitat.

This task force focuses on:

• Developing planting and management guidelines for Evanston’s urban forest
• Encouraging sustainable landscaping, including the use of native plants
• Encouraging water conservation and green solutions to stormwater management

Reports, Guides and Links

How much carbon does the Evanston urban forest sequester? See a study by a Northwestern student.

C-sequestration Summary and Evanston Tree C-sequestration report

The C-sequestration study and the general benefits of urban forests are discussed in an Evanston Round Table article.

For a quick guide to sustainable water use, see Water Tips.

A primer on rain gardens is provided in About Rain Gardens.

Below are links to web sites containing information about past and predicted climate change in Illinois, climate change adaptation plans, urban forests, sustainable landscaping, and water management.

Climate Change in Illinois and Adaptation Plans

Changes in plant hardiness zones between 1990 and 2006

For climate change predictions see:
Union of Concerned Scientists, Confronting Climate Change in the U.S. Midwest — ILLINOIS

For adaptation issues see:
Chicago Area Climate Change Quick Guide: Adapting to the Physical Impacts of Climate Change — For Municipalities and Other Organizations

Climate Change Adaptation Options for Toronto’s Urban Forest

Local Governments for Sustainability Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plans

Urban Forests

General information about urban forests including identifying and choosing trees for plantings, maintenance in response to disease and climate stress, and benefits:

Arbor Day Foundation
The Right Tree in the Right Place
Chicago Tree Initiative
Lower Midwest Community Tree Guide: Benefits, Costs and Strategic Planting, a USDA Forestry Service publication
National Tree Benefit Calculator (stormwater, property value, energy savings, air quality, CO2 sequestration)
American Public Power Association Tree Benefits Calculator (energy savings and carbon sequestration)
Migrant Bird Habitat Study (tree species important to foraging migrant birds)

Sustainable Landscaping

The Sustainable Sites Initiative (rating system for sustainable landscapes)
Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009
Energy Savers Guide on using landscaping to reduce heating and cooling costs
Landscaping for Energy Efficiency (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
EPA resources on Heat Island Effect
Safer Pest Control Project
a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the health risks and environmental impacts of pesticides and promoting safer alternatives in Illinois
Native Plant selector – select for sun/shade, color, height

Rain Gardens

EPA Green Acres
Wild Ones handbook
Rain Garden Network
Plant list for rain gardens

Rain Barrels

Cook County Rain Barrel Program
How to install a rain barrel