News & Events

FREE TREES FOR PUBLIC SPACES

2025 Free Trees for Public Spaces Important Dates

Tuesday, February 25 | 2025 Tree Request Form Opens

Tuesday, March 18 | 2025 Tree Request Form Closes

Wednesday, April 9 | Tree Pick-up from 9 am – 1 pm

Additional Information

Participation Information

HeartLands Conservancy will be providing over 300 free native trees for communities and community organizations for planting in public places (ie. public access parks, rights of way, buildings).

Please note, a completed 2025 Tree Request Form is required in order to participate. All participants will receive a confirmation email prior to pick-up.

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Rules & Eligibility

In order to participate, the entity requesting trees must be:

  • One of the following:
    • Unit of Government
    • Non-governmental Organization
    • Educational Institution
    • Transit, Park, or Drainage Districts

  • Plant the trees in public spaces

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Pick-up Information

Please note, all confirmed orders must be picked up; HeartLands Conservancy cannot ship or hold plants.

Date & Time: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 9am-1pm

Location: Jackie Joyner-Kersee Wrestling Center | 2031 Lynch Ave, East St. Louis, IL 62204 (Google Map Directions)

    Directions:

    From the North
    1. Take I-55 S or I-44 E toward East St. Louis.
    2. Continue on I-55 S to the 12th St exit.
    3. Take the exit, and turn left onto 12th St.
    4. Follow 12th St south and turn right onto Lynch Ave.
    5. Continue until you reach 2031 Lynch Ave.
    —
    From the South
    1. Take I-55 N toward St. Louis.
    2. Take the Washington Park exit (Exit 5).
    3. Turn left onto Old U.S. 50 E (also called N. 18th St).
    4. Turn right onto Lynch Ave, and follow it until you reach 2031 Lynch Ave.
    —
    From the East
    1. Head west on Old U.S. 50 W toward East St. Louis.
    2. Take the I-55 S ramp toward St. Louis.
    3. Exit onto 12th St.
    4. Turn right onto 12th St, then right onto Lynch Ave.
    5. Continue on Lynch Ave until you reach 2031 Lynch Ave.
    —
    From the West
    1. Take I-44 E or I-55 S toward East St. Louis.
    2. Stay on I-55 S, then take the 12th St exit.
    3. Turn left onto 12th St and drive south.
    4. Turn right onto Lynch Ave, and continue straight to reach 2031 Lynch Ave.

    Pre-order Information

    Please complete the 2025 Tree Request Form on behalf of your organization, to place your request. The 2025 Tree Request Form will be open from February 25 to March 18, and all participants will receive a confirmation email prior to pick-up.

    Disclaimer: We will try to accommodate the quantity and chosen species as closely as possible. Adjustments may need to be made based on availability from the nursery prior to shipment. We will communicate with you on any order changes to the best of our ability.

    2025 TREE REQUEST FORM
    Download Tree Request Flyer

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    Native Species Available

    Small (>30ft)

    Medium (30-50ft)

    Large (50ft+)

    Please note, the above plants are available in 3-gallon containers.

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    Questions?

    Please contact our Operations Coordinator, Jessica Guldner at je*************@*******************cy.org or 618-566-4451 ex 18.

      Funding is provided in part by: Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)

      Special thanks to our additional partners:

      Additional Events & Resources

      2025 Spring Tree Stewards

      Register for Spring 2025 Tree Stewards Training, a six-week training program, meeting one evening a week to learn about trees, their benefits and care, and provides practical, hands-on learning in key areas.

      Training sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6 – 8 pm at the HeartLands Conservancy Office in Belleville, Illinois.

      Spring Training Dates are March 11, 18, 25 and April 1, 8, 15.

      Learn more here:

       

       

      2025 TREE STEWARDS INFORMATION

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      Spring Native Plant Sale

      Join us for our Spring 2025 Native Plant Sale on Saturday, April 26 from noon – 3 pm. Online Native Plant pre-orders are highly encouraged and begin Thursday, March 20, 2025, and close Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

      Learn more here: 

       

      2025 SPRING NATIVE PLANT SALE INFORMATION

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      Community Forestry Services

      In addition to our many programs, our Urban and Community Forestry Program provides communities with the resources and technical assistance to improve understanding and management of southern Illinois’ urban forests. Through an IDNR grant, HeartLands Conservancy is available to assist municipalities to promote the importance and benefits of community forestry through ordinance development, education and outreach, tree-planting, and staff/volunteer training. HeartLands, along with community partners, hosts tree events and encourages local communities to participate in a variety of these events throughout the region, including Arbor Day.

       

      Through the IDNR Urban and Community Forestry Grant, HeartLands Conservancy can assist with the following:

        • Forestry resources
        • Community tree planting
        • Tree City USA designation
        • Tree boards, committees, or advocacy groups
        • Tree ordinance development
        • Arbor Day celebrations
        • Urban & community forest management plan & tree inventory
        • Grant writing assistance
        • HLC Tree Stewards volunteers to assist with trees on public property

      For more information about HeartLands Conservancy’s Community Forestry Services, please contact Community Planning & Engagement Associate, Daizjah Reese at da***********@*******************cy.org or 618-566-4451 ex 16.

      Tree City USA Assistance:

      If you are a municipality or community interested in achieving Tree City USA recognition, HeartLands Conservancy can help. Request a FREE 1-on-1 consultation with our Community & Partnerships Coordinator to find out the program requirements, the progress of your community towards meeting Tree City USA standards, and how we can help you apply and achieve Tree City USA recognition. 

      Request a consultation here:

      If none of these dates/times work for you, please contact daizjah.reese@heartlandsconservancy.org or 618-566-4451 ex. 16.