​Reforesting HOPE after STORM
On November 6, 2014, nearly a year after a devastating EF4 tornado struck Washington, IL, a collaborative group consisting of Trees Forever, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Urban & Community Forestry, City of Washington, Tornado Recovery Committee, and interested citizens, held a tree planting for residents. An estimated 5000-6000 trees had been destroyed by the storm. Residents, who had completed all construction on their property, registered with Washington City Hall, requesting up to 3 trees. Volunteers from Caterpillar, surrounding communities, Ameren, Brookfield Zoo, Trees Forever, IDNR, Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, and the City of Washington, planted trees at more than 80 homes that had been impacted by the storm.
“Late afternoon was approaching and we had several more houses to plant trees. One of the homeowners came out of her house, brought us hot chocolate, and asked several questions about the types of trees and how to take care of them. As we planted the three trees in her backyard, she stood on her deck and cried, happy tears. She said, “Insurance replaced our house, vehicles, and all of our possessions, but you gave me the one thing insurance couldn’t replace, my trees. As my children were growing up, we made lots of memories out here under the trees, playing ball, having picnics, climbing trees, and playing in the leaves. Thanks to you, I can now make memories with my grandchildren under these new trees.”
“We’ve had several tree plantings in Washington, planting more than 500 trees, at homes that were impacted by the tornado. This woman’s reaction to her trees resonates with me because when I think back to my childhood, many of my favorite memories involve trees: playing hide-n-seek and tag with the neighbor kids, using the big cottonwood in our yard as base; building forts and climbing up in the cottonwood; raking up a big pile of leaves, just to jump in them; sitting on the swing with my grandpa, under his big maple, listening to the birds and squirrels while looking for shapes in the clouds.”
“The joy I feel when I help someone plant a tree for the first time is indescribable. My favorite quote is from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, “UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” I plant trees so future generations can have the same enjoyments from trees that I did as a child.” expresses, Debbie.
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Debbie Fluegel is Trees Forever Field Coordinator & Program Manager, an ISA Certified Arborist; member of the Illinois Urban and Community Forestry Committee; serves as the Making Waves Award Chairperson on the Navigating Committee for the Clean Water Celebration. She is a Project Learning Tree Facilitator and was named a Project Learning Tree Outstanding Educator in 2017. Also, a RiverWatch Trainer with the Illinois RiverWatch Network through the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center.
She has helped with tornado recovery in Washington, Ottawa, and Naplate; assisted Washington in becoming a Tree City USA community; presented to 1500 K-6 school children annually on the benefits of trees; hosted field days, pruning workshops, pollinator workshops, tree identification workshops; helped communities conduct street tree inventories; assisted in the development of Iowa NRCS job sheet and tech note on trees and shrubs for pollinators; provided technical assistance including tree and prairie planting, care and acquisition as well as site design and species selection.
Debbie’s favorite tree is Bur Oak.
