News & Events

Tree Week

Metro East Tree Week

April 22-30, 2022

From Earth Day to Arbor Day, HeartLands Conservancy will be celebrating trees in a BIG way! During Metro East Tree Week we will spread the message far and wide about the benefits trees provide. There will be activities for people of all ages, including socially-distant, in-person, and virtual options. Throughout the week, HeartLands Conservancy will also be giving away trees to local communities.

Tree Week Event Highlights:

ย April 22 – White Oak Society Tour

Exclusive White Oak Society Earth Day Tour of Poag Sand Prairie

April 26 – Tree ID at HLC | 6:30 – 7:30 PM

HLC will host a short tree identification course. This event will include a brief presentation on how to identify trees, common trees of Illinois, a sunset city walk around Belleville, and some pizza. Participants will receive tree ID booklets to take home. Registration is required.

Register here:ย 

April 27 – Kids Experience Day with Fairmont City Schools

Fairmont City schools will be involved in local and hands-on restoration efforts to improve their community through reforestation and wetland preservation.

April 28 – Tree City USA Informational Session | 1:00 – 2:00 PM

HLC and Michael Brunk from Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host an informational webinar for municipalities and communities interested in becoming a Tree City USA.

Please register to attend here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oGClKnRcTwW3mwlLs3qzfA

April 29 – Tree Planting Day

HLC invites communities who received community trees to share via social media your tree planting event. If you are interested in having HLC staff attend your tree planting event, please contact Brittany Schweiger.

For any Tree Week related questions, please contact Eric Wright our Land Conservation Program Manager at 618-566-4451 ext. 23 | eric.wright@heartlandsconservancy.org

April 30 – HLC Native Plant Sale Order Pickup

Visit the Native Plant Sale webpage for more information.ย 

April 25 – Community Tree Distribution Day | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

HeartLands Conservancy will be providing over 300 free trees for communities and community organizations for planting in public places. Requests will be open from March 21st to April 11th.

Tree pick-up will take place at Poag Sand Prairie (4836 Street Car Rd, Edwardsville, IL 62025). Request trees here:

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.ย 

Request a consultation here:

If none of these dates/times work for you, please contact belinda.mcallister@heartlandsconservancy.org or 618-566-4451 ex. 15.