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About Evanston

Office of Sustainability

LAND

As a lake shore city of only eight square miles, land in Evanston comes at a premium. Balancing the needs of Evanston's natural and urban environments is essential to maintaining a livable, sustainable community.

City Examples:

In 2008, Evanston was designated as a Tree City USA for the 24th time. In addition, the City once again received the National Arbor Day Foundation's Growth Award. The Growth Award further recognizes those Tree City USA communities who have shown environmental improvement and higher levels of tree care. The City’s parkway tree population currently stands at around 27,700 trees, with an additional 3,000 trees in our City parks. This does not include trees on private land.

The City of Evanston has been applying minimal to no pesticides or insecticides in its municipal parks and on City owned properties since the early 1990s.

 

The City is currently working with the Safer Pest Control Project to identify integrated pest management (IPM) policies and procedures for the City's facilities and properties. IPM is a method of pest control that emphasizes simple, inexpensive prevention practices that cause the least harm to people and the environment.

 

The City just completed excavating and paving it's first permeable concrete alley. Permeable surfaces allow storm water to naturally filter back into the ground, rather than diverting the water through the sewer system for processing.

 

Ecoroof at the City of Evanston Water Treatment Plant During a recent renovation at the City of Evanston Water Treatment Plant, the City had it's first first eco-roof installed over a small section of the Plant's roof. Eco (or green) roofs have a layer of drought resistant plants covering the surface of roof that improve air quality, conserve energy by adding insulation to the building, reduce storm water runoff and help reduce the urban heat island effect.

What can you do?

Plant trees. Trees not only provide a natural habitat for urban wildlife, if sited correctly, they can also help reduce your home energy use. Use native and climate appropriate trees and plants when landscaping your yard. Avoid using pesticides and insecticides when dealing with pests in and around your home or business.

 

Consider planting a rain garden to absorb and treat storm water onsite instead of diverting it to the sewer system.

 

Install and use rain barrels to collect and store storm water for use later in your yard or garden, allowing the storm water to be reabsorbed naturally onsite. At various times throughout the year, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District offers rain barrels at a greatly reduced price.

 

Landscape with edible plants. Growing food on your property is a great use of limited urban land and helps reduce household expenses by providing healthy, nutritious food without a trip to the store.

 

Use permeable pavers or paving for walkways and parking strips on your property treat storm water onsite instead of diverting it to the sewer system.

 

Instead of having the City pick up your leaves and yard waste, try composting it at home. Composting is easy and inexpensive and will help your garden grow healthy and strong. Use compost to provide nutrients, to reduce your need for fertilizer and to improve the soil quality. It can also be used as mulch to control weeds and save water.