Green Space & Trees

In-Progress Actions

• Continue to use a diverse selection of native tree species in new plantings, particularly those that will be most resistant to the stresses of climate change within the region. Develop a comprehensive recommended tree planting list of species that meet the following criteria: adaptability to climate change, especially heat extremes, drought, flooding, and high winds; hardiness and longevity; provision of food and hosts for wildlife, including bees, butterflies, birds, and other creatures; species native to the area (200-mile radius).
• Continue to use a diverse selection of native tree species in new plantings, particularly those that will be most resistant to the stresses of climate change within the region. Develop a comprehensive recommended tree planting list of species that meet the following criteria: adaptability to climate change, especially heat extremes, drought, flooding, and high winds; hardiness and longevity; provision of food and hosts for wildlife, including bees, butterflies, birds, and other creatures; species native to the area (200-mile radius).
• Establish a tree planting plan to meet the goals of the Environmental Sustainability Plan. Prioritize tree replacement programming in neighborhoods based on factors outlined in the Village's Ground Cover study including those with low-income households, vulnerable populations, street and boulevards with less than 30% sidewalk/curb length shade coverage. Include a focus on increasing shade trees areas where people congregate (picnic areas, bus shelters, etc.). See Village's 2022 Ground Cover, Tree Canopy, and Carbon Sequestration Study.
• Prioritize planting and preservation of native species of plants and trees on public and private property through education, incentives and other promotional programs. Ensure that landscaping requirements articulated in the zoning code include the preservation of the maximum possible number of existing trees, the use of native plantings and the preservation of natural areas whenever possible.
• Establish a policy to plant back twice the number of trees as were removed the previous year on Village-owned properties.

Completed Actions

• Invite the Beautification and Improvement Commission to develop a recognition program for properties that incorporate a significant amount of natives or sustainable landscaping

In-Progress Actions

• Update the Village's weed ordinance to allow for converting traditional lawns to pollinator-friendly gardens that include food gardens, rain gardens, wildflowers, clover, or native grasses to slow the collapse of the area's bee population.
• Train staff on how to identify common native plants and educate them on the importance of native plantings. Increase the use of native plants in landscaping at Village-owned and park district-owned properties unless a data-driven case can be made that such use is not appropriate.
• Support the planting of shade and water-absorbing trees and replace turf landscaping with native prairie, wild flower, and savanna plantings. If turfgrass is the best fit for the location, use varieties that require less water and maintenance when appropriate. Create a list of native perennials, shrubs, and trees to help developers and homeowners.

Ongoing Actions

• Continue to implement a strong, integrated pest management program, reducing fertilizer use and eliminating pesticide use, and raise mowing height to 3.5-4" on Village-maintained turf. Use biochar and local compost in landscape beds when feasible. Electrify Village landscape equipment at end of useful life.

Future Actions

• Collaborate with Oakton Community College, parks, and school districts to provide and promote public education about the use of lawn chemicals, effects on waterways, and alternatives.
• Reach out to the largest land owners in Skokie to encourage turf replacement projects and include in a revised Property Owner award program
• Conduct a park and Village facility turf analysis and conversion study to identify lesser maintenance turf and ground cover types, to determine native plant and pollinator restoration opportunities, and to establish a conversion master plan. Master plan should recommend a minimum amount of pollinator-friendly native plantings for all village-owned properties.

Future Actions

• Update existing parking lot tree requirement to a performance-based ordinance that increases the amount of pavement to be shaded by trees, solar panels, or a green roof.
• Develop a policy that requires all commercial and institutional development projects receiving Village funding, PUD approval, and/or Conditional Use Permitting to implement commercial-scale heat island mitigation strategies including cool surfaces, solar-friendly landscape shading strategies, impervious surface reduction, and breeze capture.
• Explore ways to add or encourage rain gardens to Village-owned parking lots, park district parking lots, and private parking lots.
• Develop educational and informational resources explaining the drivers and impacts of heat island and solutions which may offer multiple benefits for property owners and users to share with residents and businesses.
• Create educational content such as video and website content to promote green roof technology through information on Skokie Public Library's green roof.
• Create educational content such as video and website content to promote green roof technology through information on Skokie Public Library's green roof.
• Establish a Green Roof policy to promote and advance the development of green roofs on new construction and existing buildings. Encourage rooftop garden/farm installations which advance food security.
• Research creation of a "Cool Roof"/"Cool pavement" pilot project to educate and exhibit heat island mitigation strategies and measure potential for effectiveness. Identify Village building with low solar PV prioritization/feasibility for inclusion as pilot project location. Alternatively, pilot program could be advertised for submission by Skokie residents, businesses, and neighborhoods for potential sites to be considered for pilot project selection. Preference should be given to sites serving low-income or at-risk communities with high heat island impact potential.

Ongoing Actions

• Promote strategies that support biodiversity and ecosystem health such as "No-Mow-May" and "Leaf-them-alone November."

Future Actions

• Share existing or develop information resources on tree species, reduced pesticide use, high-mow deck settings, and other beneficial green space practices.
• Include resources for invasive species management on Village website.
• Promote the use of green infrastructure such as bioswales, permeable pavement, and other pervious surfaces to reduce flood risk and use for Village projects when feasible.

In-Progress Actions

• Establish and effectively manage native-habitat corridors along trails, parks, and leased utility easement areas to restore and maintain landscape connectivity.
• Enhance the connectivity of greenbelt and habitat corridors across the community, including identification and improvement of "pollinator corridors" and "wildlife corridors."

Ongoing Actions

• Enlist the Beautification and Improvement Commission to educate and incentivize property owners to plant pollinator or other native plants through a property award program.

Future Actions

• Collaborate with parks to improve the ecological functionality and resiliency of parks and open space through green infrastructure, best practices for stormwater management, and increased plant diversity and pollinator-friendly habitats.