In the heart of Bloomington-Normal, something special is happening. It’s not just about trees—it’s about community. The City of Bloomington, Town of Normal, Westminster Village, and Illinois State University (ISU) have teamed up to create something amazing: the Bloomington-Normal Arbor Day Affiliates (BNADA).
BNADA isn’t just any group—its members are recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation for their commitment to planting and caring for trees. With members like the Town of Normal and the City of Bloomington each certified as Tree City USA (for 25 and 37 years respectively), Westminster Village as a certified Tree Campus Healthcare Facility (4 years), and Illinois State University as a certified Tree Campus for Higher Education (15 years), this team is serious about making the community green and helping it thrive.
All these groups have been certified through the Arbor Day Foundation and they had to complete these requirements to be recognized:
- Tree Care Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan for tree maintenance and management.
- Funding: Allocate dedicated funds for tree care activities.
- Public Engagement: Engage the community through education and events, especially on Arbor Day.
- Advisory Committee: Establish a committee to guide tree-related initiatives.
- Tree Inventory: Conduct and maintain an inventory of trees on the property.
- Planting and Maintenance: Commit to planting, maintaining, and protecting trees.
- Environmental Stewardship: Prioritize sustainability and environmentally friendly practices in tree care.
Fulfilling these requirements demonstrates a commitment to tree health and sustainability, leading to certification by the Arbor Day Foundation.
These groups have been busy over the past few Arbor days. One of their coolest projects is the Ginkgo Tree Tour. Have you taken the tree tour yet? It’s a self-guided tour through Bloomington-Normal that highlights amazing, historic trees. You can take the tour virtually or in person, and if you visit the tree sites, you’ll see interactive yard signs with QR codes that tell you all about ginkgo trees. To take part in this virtual or drive by experience, you can visit the Tree Tour here!
But that’s not all the group has initiated in the community. BNADA has also been getting their hands dirty! They’ve organized tree plantings in the Fell Arboretum at Illinois State University, where students and community members joined in planting four trees on campus. And they didn’t stop there—in April they planted a Japanese Maple tree at the Illinois Art Station to raise awareness for Asian Heritage Month. They plan to plant more trees this Fall throughout ISU’s campus, look out for more updates on this soon!
Now, as Arbor Day rolls around, BNADA is gearing up for their biggest event yet: the Arbor Day Tree Talks on April 27. It’s going to be a day filled with tree-themed fun, sessions led by spokespeople from the City of Bloomington, Town of Normal, Westminster Village, Illinois State University, and Heartland Community College. Whether you’re a tree enthusiast or curious, there’s something for everyone.
So, mark your calendars and join BNADA in celebrating the trees that make the community so special. Whether you’re taking a stroll on the Ginkgo Tree Tour or learning from naturalists at the Arbor Day Tree Talks, there’s no better time to appreciate the greenery around us.
For more details on the Arbor Day Tree Talks, check out the ISU Events page. Let’s come together and celebrate the wonderful trees in our community.
