From Enraged to Engaged: Harnessing Volunteers to Achieve Policy Changes
1. Al De Reu
TreeKeepers Program Manager
From Enraged
to Engaged:
Harnessing Volunteers to Achieve Policy Changes
November 15, 2022
2. Table of Contents
What is Openlands?
Who are TreeKeepers?
Background: Openlands
Forestry History
Passing the Urban Forestry
Advisory Board
Takeaways
4. Openlands Mission:
Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of
northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water,
protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives.
5. TK Course Content: TK Activities:
Broad Instruction on Trees &
Tree Care
New Content:
• Trees and Climate Change
• Invasive Species
• Oak Ecosystem Recovery
• 2020 Regional Tree Census
• Spanish Course
Introduction to Urban Forestry &
Careers
Advocacy!
Prune, Mulch, & Plant
Lead Tree Walks
Join & Establish
TreeKeeper Chapters
Organize Their own
Events
Openlands TreeKeepers:
6. 1983: Chicago Named “Tree City USA”
1986: Openlands’ Policy Research Reveals 100,000 Trees
Lost in 10-Year Period
1987: Openlands Launches Neighborwoods
1989: Mayor Daley’s Tree Planting & Tree Education Efforts
1991: TreeKeepers founded; Industry Professionals such as
George Ware and Larry Hall Serve as Instructors.
Openlands Forestry Timeline
7. 1998: ALB Detected in Chicago
2006: EAB Detected
2011: Chicago’s Department of the Environment Eliminated
2013: Openlands starts receiving calls about suspicious
tree removals, poor tree trimming, and other
issues.
2014: 13th & 23rd Wards: Healthy Tree Removals
Openlands Forestry Timeline
8. 2016: Openlands Begins Tree Board Research
2017: Brooks Park Hockey Rink Tree Removals
2018: Andersonville Tree Removals for Water Dept Work
Logan Square Street Trees Damaged
2019: Openlands Starts Advocacy Workshops
2020: August Derecho Storm
Openlands UFAB Task Force
Openlands Forestry Timeline
9. Winter 2020 - 2021: Openlands Ramps up UFAB
Advocacy
Early 2021: Ward Advocates, Alderpeople Responses
UFAB Ordinance Stuck in Committee
June 2021: UFAB Passes City Council 49-0
November 2022: UFAB Members Sent to Mayor for
Approval
Openlands UFAB Timeline
10. Sustained Effort: Think Long Game!
Utilize Trained Volunteers, Provide Resources
Work With Elected Officials
Reach out to the Media
Track Progress
Takeaways:
