Lay a thick clean-mulch cover over bare public planting beds in East Chicago (2026-07-18)

Bare dirt in Calumet-area public planting beds and tree rings kicks up dust that nobody near a former smelter wants airborne. A thick clean wood-chip cover over public beds is a simple, visible dust-and-contact barrier that also helps the plants. Standard: EPA interim soil-cover practice for legacy-soil neighborhoods + ISA mulching standard; SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being. Proof: Before/after photos of each covered bed Method (EPA interim soil-cover practice for legacy-soil neighborhoods + ISA mulching standard; SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being.): 1. Work only public planting beds and tree rings agreed with the parks or public-works contact. 2. Without digging or turning the soil, lay clean wood-chip mulch 3 to 4 inches deep over each bare bed. 3. Keep mulch clear of tree trunks and plant stems. 4. Rake the surface even and sweep adjacent pavement clean. 5. Photograph each covered bed before and after with GPS and date on. Done when: Before/after photos of each covered bed

Where

Public planting beds, Kennedy Avenue corridor, East Chicago, IN 46312

Pay

$80 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Before/after photos of each covered bed

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-10-17

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 30–60 minutes. Method of record: i-Tree canopy / street-tree inventory

Bring

• GPS phone
• DBH tape or measuring tape
• tree ID reference
• camera
• hi-vis vest

Steps

1. 1. Walk the corridor; record a GPS waypoint at each tree.
2. 2. Photograph each surveyed tree.
3. 3. Record species (best estimate), condition class (good/fair/poor/dead), and DBH (diameter at breast height).
4. 4. Count vacant planting sites.
5. 5. Enter the per-tree records, vacant-site count, GPS, photos into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Dead or hazardous tree observed -> flag for the responsible agency (no removal by surveyor).
• High vacant-site count -> recommend a planting plan for the corridor.

What counts as done

• Per-tree species + condition + DBH recorded
• Vacant planting sites counted
• GPS waypoint per tree
• Photo per surveyed tree

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.