• Start-up
  • Planning
  • Action
  • Evaluation

Adaptation actions are currently being implemented in reforestation efforts.

The Village of Riverside is a National Historic Landmark due to its landscape design, created by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1869. The residents of the community value its landscape and urban tree canopy. The Emerald Ash Borer infestation has cause a significant increase in tree mortality throughout the Village. A reforestation program has been implemented to replace 11% canopy loss that will anticipate the potential impacts of climate change in addition to other challenges associated with our urban environment.
newly planted bald cypress trees with watering bags in a field
newly planted buckeye, accolade elm, and pecan along streets
site where European buckthorn was removed

Project Area

Aerial view of the Village of Riverside
Riverside is a residential community, located 9 miles southwest of Chicago. The land is approximately 2 square miles or 280 acres with 75 acres of green space. The Des Plaines River runs the southern border of the Village, creating natural areas, in additional to many park and parkways throughout the town. Due to the early development of the landscape, there is minimal soil disturbance and opportunities for ecological restoration and reforestation.

Management Goals

The Village of Riverside is implementing a reforestation program that will mitigate losses associated with emerald ash borer in parks, parkways and natural areas within the community.  In conjunction, the Village has goals to continue to develop and improve their tree planting cost share program, to engage the community following reforestation, and provide educational opportunities.
 
The Village will incorporate the following objectives to acheive their goals:
 
• Increase species diversity
• Increase climate adaptability
• Increase disease and insect resistance
• Increase native species composition
• Increase resident/ volunteer interaction with planting site to educate and engage the community
 
 

Climate Change Impacts

For this project, the most important anticipated climate change impacts include:
Increase in the duration and frequency of drought conditions
Increase in the frequency of flooding and severe weather
Increase in invasive species
Increase in pollution levels related to air quality
Increased tree mortality due to shifting climate conditions

Challenges and Opportunities

Climate change will present challenges and opportunities for accomplishing the management objectives of this project, including:

Challenges

Climate-adapted species are not always available from local nurseries
Maintenance of tree plantings during drought conditions
Site disturbance associated with extreme weather events
Control of invasive species in restoration sites
Cost associated with tree mortality

Opportunities

Planting new tree species from southern hardiness zones
Use of disease and insect resistant cultivars
Increase in available planting site to increase species diversity
Increase public awareness related to urban forests

Adaptation Actions

Project participants used the Adaptation Workbook to develop several adaptation actions for this project, including:

Area/Topic
Approach
Tactics
1.1. Maintain or restore soils and nutrient cycling in urban areas.
5.2. Maintain and restore diversity of native species
Planting native species (various species of oak)
Planting understory and shrub layers to buffer climate extremes
Preserve existing mature trees (mulching, watering, tree protection)
2.1. Maintain or improve the ability of forests to resist pests and pathogens
9.4. Protect future-adapted seedlings and saplings
Planting insect and or disease resistant cultivars (Accolade elm, London Plaintree)
Develop watering program and outreach to residents with new parkway trees
9.1. Favor or restore native species that are expected to be adapted to future conditions
9.2. Establish or encourage new mixes of native species
9.5. Disfavor species that are distinctly maladapted
9.7. Introduce species that are expected to be adapted to future conditions
Establish and encourage a mix of new native species
Disfavor species that are distinctly maladapted (various species of maple)
Planting tree species from southern hardiness zones (Pecan, Bald Cypress, Catalpa)

Monitoring

Project participants identified several monitoring items that could help inform future management, including:
Survey for tree mortality, invasive species, and natural regeneration in restoration areas, parkways and parks.
Evaluate resident and volunteer participation in planting program.

Next Steps

The Village continues to plant and maintain trees while incorporating these strategies.

Learn More

Keywords

Flooding
Insect pests
Planting
Urban

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