Nicor Invests $200K To Support Morton Arboretum Tree Initiative

LISLE, IL — Nicor Gas is investing $200,000 to support Morton Arboretum's ongoing initiative to plant more trees throughout the greater Chicago area. The Naperville-based gas company's involvement will help the arboretum plant and distribute hundreds of trees through the next five years.

On Earth Day 2022, Morton Arboretum officially kicked off its Centennial Tree Planting Initiative, which aims to plant 3,000 trees throughout Chicagoland. At the time, Arboretum President and CEO Gerard T. Donnelly said,"The regional forest needs a greater diversity of trees to be resilient to threats including climate change, pests and diseases."

“Last year, Nicor Gas announced our goal to create, maintain and sustain 10,000 acres of open space across our service territory, and help achieve equitable access to these cultural, educational and recreational spaces,” Jackie Nagel, Community Engagement manager at Nicor Gas, said in a news release.

Nagel added, “We know that many under-resourced neighborhoods across the Chicago region tend to be less canopied, and we are partnering with The Morton Arboretum to help mitigate inequities in these neighborhoods.”

Nicor's $200,000 investment will also help fund educational programming and green space initiatives offered by the arboretum.