To see the Environmental and Forestry Commission's Strategic Plan, click here
The Environmental & Forestry Commission's mission is:
To preserve, conserve, enhance, and protect the environmental resources of the Village, including the quality of our land, air, and water.
To preserve, conserve, enhance and protect the tree resources of the Village.
To promote responsible public and private energy conservation and stewardshp.
To develop public awareness and education on issues affecting environmental protection, tree preservation and energy conservation.
To advise the Village Council, its commissions, committees, and Village staff on issues affecting environmental protection, tree preservation and energy conservation.
The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
To advise the Village Council on matters relating to urban forestry, including the enhancement and preservation of trees in the Village, and methods to mitigate threats to trees in the Village such as Dutch elm disease and the emerald ash borer;
To advise the Village Council on matters relating to the protection of the environment and the conservation of energy.
To advise the Village Council on possible amendments to this Village code regarding environmental and forestry matters;
To develop and recommend policy concerning the selection, planting, maintenance and removal of trees on Village-owned property;
To consider and determine the propriety of removing trees on Village-owned property, except during emergencies or when a tree poses an immediate threat to the public health, safety or welfare;
To assist the Village and its officials in developing and recommending policies relating to the protection of the environment and the protection, maintenance and improvement of the Village's tree population, including recommendations pertaining to the Tree Preservation Code set forth in Chapter 15.28 of this Village code;
To assist the Village and its officials in disseminating information about protection of the environment, the conservation of energy, and the protection, maintenance and improvement of the Village's tree population;
To apply annually for Tree City U.S.A. designation or other awards and incentives recognizing the Village or any portion of the Village for its trees or forestry;
To review and make recommendations to Village staff on all Village plans for streets, utility, and other public improvement projects that impact public trees;
To provide advice and mediation in disputes concerning the maintenance or removal of trees in the Village when requested by all parties to a dispute;
To assist the Plan Commission in reviewing and updating the Comprehensive Plan on matters pertaining to the protection of the environment and the protection, maintenance and improvement of the Village's tree population, including updating Chapter XIV, "Street Tree Planting," of the Winnetka Comprehensive Plan;
To determine, at the request of the Director of Public Works, whether an application for a permit to remove a tree under Section 15.28.040 (B)(6) meets the requirement of that subsection that the removal of the tree will avoid or alleviate an economic hardship or hardship of another nature on the property or residence; and
To hear and decide appeals from the action of the Director of Public Works denying a permit to remove a tree pursuant to Section 15.28.040 of this Village code, in accordance with the procedures set out in Section 15.28.090.
To engage in such other activities, studies and educational programs related to environmental protection, energy conservation, tree preservation and urban forestry as may be requested by the Village President or the Village Council from time to time.
To make recommendations to the Village Council on programs and methods for increasing public awareness of environmental and energy issues.
To make policy recommendations to the Village Council to preserve, conserve, enhance and protect the quality of our land, air and water, including issues related to pollution and recycling.
To make policy recommendations to improve public and private energy stewardship within the Village, including strategies for energy conservation, reduced energy consumption, the development of renewable energy sources.
To make policy recommendations regarding the adoption of “green” building strategies for public and private development and redevelopment, such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
To act as a liaison between the Village and other local governmental, public and private agencies, such as the Winnetka Park District, area schools, Great Lakes Commission and Chicago Wilderness to learn how they deal with matters of interest to the Environmental and Forestry Commission and to share information pertaining to those matters.
