Will County Gazette

The City of Joliet is set to celebrate Arbor Day on April 25, 2025, with an event at District 86 Edna Keith Elementary School in Joliet, Illinois, at 10:00 AM. The city takes pride in being recognized as a "Tree City USA" community for the 34th consecutive year by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

At a recent City Council meeting, Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy acknowledged the winners of the school's Arbor Day Poster Contest. Mayor D'Arcy expressed gratitude to the students, stating, "It is one of the highlights of the year to see these young people acknowledged for their creativity. Arbor Day is more than a tradition; it’s a reminder of our shared responsibility to care for the environment and preserve the natural beauty of Joliet for generations to come. By planting and protecting trees, we not only improve our community’s health and resilience, but we also invest in a greener, stronger future for all."

The winners of the contest were Eian McMillan, Ja’Mya McMurtry, and Nestor Tinoco Rodriguez, with Annabelle Cordova and Jackson Hollister receiving honorable mentions.

In March, the Joliet City Council allocated funds to supplement a grant for a city-wide tree inventory, aiming to support the health and diversity of Joliet's urban forest and plan future tree planting locations.

Rita Renwick, Chairperson of the Tree Advisory Board, emphasized the benefits of urban trees, stating, "Street trees clean our air, cool our neighborhoods, and enhance the mental and physical health of the community." Renwick sees the inventory and management plan as significant measures to enhance residents' quality of life.

City officials will be present at the Arbor Day celebration. Residents seeking more information are encouraged to contact Sandy Zalewski, Director for Communications & Development for Joliet Public Schools District 86.

More details about Joliet, located southwest of Chicago in Illinois, can be found on the city's official website.

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