After applying last fall, the City of Lennox was notified in January that the community has been awarded a $5000 Resource Conservation Urban Forestry Program Grant from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources! This funding was requested to replace trees lost as a result of the August, 2021 tornado. This tornado destroyed dozens of trees in the community's parks, leaving behind it a lack of shade and shelter in several areas. Trees will be placed in both Westerman Park along Main Street and at West Evergreen Park on West 4th Avenue.
Trees play an important role in the livability of a community. In parks, they provide shade and play opportunities for all age groups. They improve the availability of wildlife and songbirds, providing nesting shelter and safety for broods of new birds. Last but not least, trees are an important part of energy conservation for neighborhoods and communities, particularly in the summer when they can provide shade on hot, sunny days.
As the City of Lennox considers future projects, additional care and discussion is being given to the necessity of removing trees from street boulevards. While many trees may need to be removed to move forward with construction of these projects, the City is hoping to preserve as many trees as possible, and is researching the cost of replacing removed trees. More information on this possibility will be released in the coming months.