To strengthen our commitment to creating a living-learning laboratory, NIU is pursuing urban forestry efforts across campus. Urban forestry provides opportunities for students, faculty and staff to connect with nature, conduct research, improve physical and mental health and learn about the natural world around them.
At NIU, we see a range of 3% to 11% tree canopy cover across campus, creating a strong urban heat island effect. Urban heat islands can impact energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, human health and comfort, water quality and more.
Shade trees can assist in energy conservation, making energy consumption more efficient and cost-effective.
Access to urban forests and connection to green spaces can improve physical health and mental wellbeing.
In January of 2025, NIU was awarded $475,000 to fund urban forestry on NIU’s main campus, through Morton Arboretum's Chicago Region Tree Initiative. Through this grant, NIU, with the help of a regional contractor, will conduct a tree inventory documenting existing trees on NIU’s main campus, create an Urban Forestry Management Plan that aligns with NIU Grounds and Campus Sustainability goals, and plant 450 trees.
A tree inventory documents existing trees on NIU’s main campus, identifying species, characteristics, location and overall health of each tree. In May and June of 2025, a comprehensive inventory was conducted, resulting in the identification of over 2000 trees along the main corridors between residence halls on the west side of campus to the East Lagoon on the east side of campus. Moving forward, courses will have the opportunity to complete partial surveys to add to the growing inventory.
An Urban Forestry Management Plan will allow for NIU Grounds staff to care for the new and existing trees on NIU’s campus. The NIU Grounds team has extensive experience in caring for existing trees, but the management plan will allow us to build on and expand knowledge and techniques in tree care. The regional contractor will assist by giving recommendations for this plan.
Along high-traffic and student residential areas of campus, we will plant roughly 350 shade trees. These shade trees will consist of a variety of species, as determined by our tree inventory and Urban Forestry Management Plan to ensure recommended species diversity. In addition to shade trees, Edible Campus will plant roughly 50 fruit trees to demonstrate innovative food systems and provide fresh produce for the student dining halls, Huskie Food Pantry and more. Plantings will take place in 2026, 2027 and 2028.