JJC Receives $74,112 Subgrant from Morton Arboretum for Urban Forest Improvement

Joliet Junior College (JJC) has received a $74,112 subgrant from The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) to improve the community tree canopy and enhance urban forest management.

The competitive subgrant is one of nearly 40 provided to nonprofits, government entities and other eligible groups through Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, administered by CRTI.

“JJC’s project focuses on improving tree health and enhancing the quality of life for the communities surrounding our campuses,” said Mike Brouillard, facilities and ground superintendent. “As a leader in environmental stewardship and a proud Tree Campus USA designee, JJC is committed to creating greener, healthier spaces for everyone. This grant will not only strengthen our urban forest but also support the long-term well-being of disadvantaged communities by promoting sustainability and connecting people to nature through our Dr. William M. Zales Arboretum, a nationally accredited arboretum.”

The four-year grants, which do not require matching funds, support projects in communities designated as disadvantaged under federal guidelines. Funding can be used to increase tree canopy, improve forest health and enhance community forestry programs.

A key part of JJC’s initiative includes training groundskeepers to use advanced ArcGIS software for maintaining and updating tree inventories. This technology will help the team effectively manage the campuses’ urban forests. The initiative also features a 10-week training program to help groundskeepers become International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists, underscoring JJC’s dedication to workforce development and professional growth.

The subgrant also supports the planting of 32 ginkgo trees in the Main Campus greenway and 18 diverse species in the Dr. William M. Zales Arboretum, enhancing biodiversity and ecological resilience.

“Improving the distribution of trees and green spaces directly impacts the health and economic outcomes for communities,” said CRTI director Zach Wirtz. “Projects like this improve quality of life and boost the urban tree canopy’s resilience to threats from environmental conditions, pests, and diseases.”

Funding support for this project was provided by the IRA through the USDA Forest Service Eastern Region. This institution is an equal-opportunity provider.