Lake County Sets Urban Forestry Vision, Plus Local Municipal Tree Programs and Ordinances
On January 12, 2026, Lake County has taken another significant step in long-range sustainability planning with the approval of its Urban and Community Forestry Strategic Plan, a comprehensive 10-year framework designed to strengthen, expand, and connect the countywide tree canopy.
The plan establishes a shared vision for a healthier and more resilient urban forest, guiding not only Lake County government operations but also supporting collaboration among municipalities, park districts, nonprofit partners, and residents. Tree canopy coverage currently varies widely across the county—from approximately 9 percent in some communities to more than 60 percent in others—highlighting both the progress already made and the opportunity ahead.
A Strategic Investment in Health and Sustainability
The Urban and Community Forestry Strategic Plan advances two priorities within Lake County’s broader Strategic Plan: Healthy and Inclusive Communities and A Sustainable Environment. Today, the county’s urban forest includes more than 8 million trees, delivering measurable environmental and quality-of-life benefits.
Countywide, Lake County’s urban forest:
- Removes more than 5.7 million pounds of air pollutants annually
- Absorbs over 130,000 metric tons of carbon
- Reduces stormwater runoff by more than 1 billion gallons each year
The plan identifies over 85,000 acres where increased tree canopy coverage could further:
- Reduce flooding through enhanced stormwater capture
- Improve air quality and support physical and mental health
- Lower urban heat impacts
- Provide wildlife habitat
- Reduce household energy use and utility costs
- Decrease greenhouse gas emissions
Building Resilience for the Future
In addition to canopy expansion, the plan emphasizes resilience. More than half of Lake County’s trees and shrubs are non-native or invasive species, creating vulnerabilities to pests, disease, and climate stress. The strategy prioritizes evaluation, diversification, and long-term stewardship to ensure the urban forest can withstand both existing and emerging challenges.
By aligning policy, education, and on-the-ground action, the county aims to cultivate shared knowledge and sustained care—ensuring the benefits of a thriving urban forest extend to future generations.
Local Municipal Forestry Policies and Programs in Lake County
Lake County’s Urban and Community Forestry Strategic Plan is designed to support municipalities with established tree preservation ordinances while also encouraging best practices in communities without formal regulations. This countywide framework creates consistency, elevates environmental outcomes, and helps close policy gaps through education, incentives, and shared standards.
Some communities rely on ordinances to protect existing canopy, while others emphasize voluntary tree planting and cost-share programs to grow their urban forest. Both approaches align with the county’s long-term forestry goals.
Lake County Municipal Tree Programs (Alphabetical)
| Municipality | Approach | Resource |
|---|---|---|
| Deerfield | Tree Preservation Ordinance | View Ordinance |
| Grayslake | Tree Preservation Ordinance | View Ordinance |
| Gurnee | 50/50 Parkway Tree Planting Program (No Formal Ordinance) | Program Details |
| Highland Park | Tree & Shrub Preservation Regulations | Municipal Code |
| Libertyville | Tree Code & Replacement Standards | Tree Code |
| Lincolnshire | Tree Preservation Ordinance & Permit System | Ordinance Overview |
| Long Grove | Tree Preservation & Rural Character Protection | Village Regulations |
| Wauconda | 50/50 Parkway Tree Cost-Share Program (No Formal Ordinance) | Program Information |
| Waukegan | Tree Removal & Replacement (Unified Development Ordinance) | Tree Removal Guidelines |
What Is Tree City USA?
Tree City USA is an annual national recognition program administered by the Arbor Day Foundation. The program is designed to raise awareness of the value of community trees, establish foundational forestry standards for communities of all sizes, and celebrate long-term community improvement.
Since 1976, Tree City USA has recognized communities ranging from small towns to major metropolitan areas. National recognition helps municipalities demonstrate and promote their commitment to maintaining a greener, healthier place to live.
Learn more about the Tree City USA program here: https://www.arborday.org/our-work/tree-city-usa
A Coordinated Path Forward
Together, Lake County’s Urban and Community Forestry Strategic Plan, municipal ordinances, voluntary planting programs, and national frameworks like Tree City USA form a layered approach to environmental stewardship. This coordinated model ensures that whether a community protects trees through regulation or promotes planting through incentives, every municipality has a role in building a healthier, more resilient Lake County canopy.
LocalSuburbs.com will continue tracking how Lake County’s Urban and Community Forestry Strategic Plan is implemented, including how individual municipalities align existing ordinances, expand tree planting programs, and develop new policies to strengthen and preserve local tree canopies.
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