Nov. 6, 2025 - Traditional forests absorb carbon dioxide, reduce air pollution and support wildlife. Tiny ones in urban areas offer even greater potential according to Dr. Sheetal Khedkar Rao, an internal medicine doctor at the University of Illinois.  After seeing how environmental/climate factors impacted her and her patients' health and well-being, Dr. Rao became interested in taking action to make a difference by co-founding Nordson Green Earth Foundation (NGEF) with a mission to improve tree and greenspace equity in and around Chicagoland.