Access to greenspace is important in any urban area, for its many health and aesthetic benefits. Especially as our summers get hotter, protecting our green spaces is one way to keep our community cooler. Evanston is a leader in tree coverage in the Chicagoland area and each year seeks to increase tree planting and expand its native gardens. 

Bird City 

The combination of the lakefront and the North Shore Channel makes Evanston a vital city for migrating birds. With an abundant mature tree canopy lining the North Shore Channel, natural area projects restoring and protecting bird habitat, and Evanston's bounty of bird-friendly yards with mature trees, there are plenty of valuable stop-over habitats in many of Evanston's neighborhoods. Approximately five million birds, comprising about 250 species, migrate to and through Evanston twice annually.

The City of Evanston works with volunteers on public land to create natural areas that are attractive and safe for migrating birds. Because of these efforts, the Audubon Council of Illinois recognizes Evanston as a Bird City Illinois. Bird-Friendly Evanston, the Evanston North Shore Bird Club, Natural Habitat Evanston and Climate Action as well as small volunteer groups work on public land to create bird habitat in Evanston.

Learn more about bird watching in Evanston here! 

Tree City 

In 2015, Evanston was named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation and also received the organizations’ 2014 Tree City USA Growth Award for showing improvement to the environment and a better level of tree care. To be named a Tree City USA entity, cities must meet four specific requirements: have a specific department or board that deals with trees, a tree-care ordinance, an annual forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and observance of Arbor Day.