Susan MiHalo
True believers in Jesus don’t need a “second plan” for salvation and eternal life. They must follow the actions of Jesus Christ, says Pastor Greg Lee of Suncrest Christian Church in St. John. “Followers of Jesus – church people – often forget that following Jesus is how you get to heaven.” But they’ve somehow created another option in their minds by pushing, convincing or telling people they’re wrong,” Lee says. On this week’s show, Lee is in the studio to examine the gospel of Jesus Christ and why too many Christians aren’t behaving Christlike in their daily lives. “If you look at who Jesus had his harshest words for, it was religious people who were harsh on people who were on the fringes of spirituality,” Lee tells Jerry, who has been on the fringes of spirituality for decades. We hope you’ll join us for a candid conversation – not a sermon – about faith, salvation, conviction and forgiveness. And also about how to show mercy and compassion to a species that instinctively seeks justice. About the show “She Said, He Said” with co-hosts Jerry Davich and Karen Davich unpacks all the baggage about relationships, couples and problems between the sexes (and exes). “Because there’s a lot to unpack,” Karen says. The perils of online dating. The fun of flirting. Blended families. Difficult in-laws. Reunions after fights. First kisses and final divorces. You name it, they’ll unpack it in “She Said, He Said.” All episodes are available to watch now on NWI.com or listen on your favorite platforms like Apple, Spotify, Google and Audacy. Subscribe to never miss a new episode. The couple’s podcast is sponsored by Times Media Co. and Lee Enterprises. It is recorded each week at CreataSpacePlace studios in Hobart, Indiana, with local guests in the studio and timeless topics on the table.
In May 2023, I approached the City of Munster about planting a tree next to City Hall to honor my father, Russell Snyder, who served on the City Council and several committees and commissions for many years. A fond memory I have is of him documenting trees he felt should be saved before the new City Hall was built in the early 1980s, including a pear tree that may still be there.
Fortunately, Munster has a memorial tree program and our request was readily accommodated. What pleased me most, however, was the assurance that the tree would be cared for and nurtured, especially in its early years. The person I discussed the tree planting with, Luke Kern of the Public Works Department, patiently explained that he had been designated an Indiana Community Tree Steward, which actively involves Indiana residents in various aspects of urban forestry.
Tree wealth can be quantified and justified
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It was gratifying to learn that the city takes its tree population seriously. This is further underscored by the fact that it has been designated a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for 28 years. In the region, only Whiting can compete, which has held this distinction for a whopping 33 years. Trees provide a return on investment that far exceeds the initial cost or the cost of maintaining them. For example, in 2021, TNC helped the City of Gary develop an urban forest inventory and plan for its city parks that only included trees that were not part of a forested area. During the project, I was very surprised to learn that these trees alone are worth $14 million!
Quantifying tree wealth is based on the various benefits and cost savings they provide. According to Purdue Extension, the functional benefits of trees include mitigating climate change by storing carbon, removing pollutants from the atmosphere, regulating stormwater runoff, and improving air quality. They also produce oxygen and help cool cities, saving residents on air conditioning costs. Taken together, this all makes a difference to our health and quality of life everywhere.
Trees should be treated with care like any other asset. But who should do it? Fortunately, municipalities have several options available to them. Communities fully committed to urban forestry, such as Michigan City, have found it beneficial to employ a full-time forester. Foresters are certified as arborists by the International Society of Arboriculture and are committed to the health and safety of trees. They monitor for damage from invasive trees, insects, and diseases such as oak wilt. They also ensure that trees are properly cared for after planting and oversee the pruning, cutting, and sometimes even propagation of the trees. They are also responsible for managing tree-related programs such as tree donations and teaching residents how to plant and care for trees.
Some municipalities outsource forestry services when needed, such as to assist with risk assessments of a tree’s structure, defects, diseases and other important characteristics that help determine its health. However, some municipalities still haven’t jumped on the tree care bandwagon. Unfortunately, the Arbor Day Foundation estimates that only 39% of municipalities “systematically” maintain their public trees and less than 15% employ foresters. It’s a shame that these municipalities are letting their tree stands go fallow.
Opportunities available to enrich tree care
With many public and private resources available for tree planting and maintenance, I believe many communities are beginning to realize that investing in arborists and tree care is well worth it. Fortunately, there is growing interest in two programs that are worth considering for both citizens and public officials: the soon-to-be-launched Arborist Apprenticeship Program and the Indiana Tree Steward Program.
The Indiana Arborist Association received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Urban & Community Forestry Program in February 2024 to develop a pilot workforce development initiative dedicated to training certified arborists from underserved and disadvantaged communities in northwest Indiana. The program offers people interested in trees a career path that takes them on a three-year, employed and paid journey to learn the ecology, art and science of trees and arboristry.
For anyone interested in improving the tree canopy in their community or learning more about tree planting and care, the Indiana Community Tree Steward Program offers an annual workshop through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Urban and Community Forestry Program. Participants are required to attend a two-day workshop that covers a range of topics including proper tree care, biology and urban forestry practices. The program will also empower them to advocate for urban forestry in their neighborhood, community and state. The next workshops will be held September 12 and 13 in Portage (at the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission office at 6100 Southport Rd.) and October 10 and 11 in Indianapolis.
Susan MiHalo is a longtime, nature-loving resident of Northwest Indiana who works for The Nature Conservancy of Indiana and is a past president of Save the Dunes. For more information about TNC, visit www.nature.org/Indiana. Comments or questions can be directed to [email protected]. Opinions are the author’s.
