Joliet Celebrates Arbor Day with Poster Contest Winners and Tree Inventory Funding

The City of Joliet is gearing up for the annual Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at District 86 Edna Keith Elementary School, located at 400 4th Avenue in Joliet.  Joliet has been recognized as a “Tree City USA” community for 34 consecutive years by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 15th, Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy welcomed the winners of the school’s Arbor Day Poster Contest and thanked the students for their participation.

Winners of the Poster Contest:

 Eian McMillan   1^st Place

Ja’Mya McMurtry 2^nd Place

Nestor Tinoco Rodriguez   3^rd Place

Annabelle Cordova   Honorable Mention

Jackson Hollister   Honorable Mention

“It is one of the highlights of the year to see these young people acknowledged for their creativity,” said Mayor D’Arcy. “Arbor Day is more than a tradition; it’s a reminder of our shared responsibility to care for the environment and preserve the natural beauty of Joliet for generations to come. By planting and protecting trees, we not only improve our community’s health and resilience, but we also invest in a greener, stronger future for all.”

In late March, the Joliet City Council approved funding to supplement a grant for a city-wide tree inventory. This initiative will help maintain the health, diversity, and longevity of Joliet’s urban forest and assist in identifying future tree planting locations.

Rita Renwick, Chairperson of the Tree Advisory Board, expressed her support for the city’s ongoing environmental initiatives.  “Street trees clean our air, cool our neighborhoods, and enhance the mental and physical health of the community,” remarked Renwick.  “Taking action to care for our urban forest through an inventory and management plan is a positive step to improve the quality of life for all residents.”

City officials will be present at the celebration. For more about the event, contact Sandy Zalewski, Director for Communications & Development for Joliet Public Schools District 86 at (815) 740-3196.

For more about the city, visit https://www.joliet.gov.