Officials from Chicagoland Speedway and the Forest Preserve District of Will County took part in a tree-planting ceremony at Sugar Creek Preserve in Joliet on Earth Day.
The tulip tree planted along the front walkway to the Forest Preserve’s Sugar Creek Administration Center on Friday, April 22, was one of 17 trees donated by the Speedway in partnership with Joliet-based Green Glen Nursery. The donation was part of the track’s NASCAR Green initiative.
“We appreciate this donation because we’ve lost a number of trees to emerald ash borer infestation over the past several years,” said Ralph Schultz, the Forest Preserve District’s chief operating officer. “We’ve started a reforestation program and the donated trees will help with that effort. When we can align with corporations that have green initiatives we can make a bigger impact for the Will County forest preserves.”
Seven trees will be planted in the preserves, and 11 will be shared with St. Dennis Catholic School and Joliet Junior College.
“NASCAR has a really big green initiative and one element of that is for every green flag that’s dropped throughout the course of a race weekend, NASCAR tracks are encouraged to donate a tree to the local market,” Paddock said. “We had 17 green flags last year, so 17 trees will be planted throughout Joliet and Will County. NASCAR is very cognizant of its carbon footprint, and it wants to combat that through programs like this that reduce emissions in the air space.”
The Speedway’s donation was a prelude to its “Go Green for Spring” event scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 30, at the Joliet-based racetrack. The event will feature activities, games, music, food and the opportunity for participants to drive their cars around Chicagoland Speedway’s track. Proceeds benefit the Speedway’s charitable foundation.
For more information on the Forest Preserve District of Will County, visit ReconnectWithNature.org. For information on Chicagoland Speedway or its “Go Green for Spring” event, visitwww.ChicagolandSpeedway.com.
