The AISWCD Forestry Committee and Illinois Extension 4-H are partnering again for a fourth year of statewide tree planting to take place in the spring of 2025. This effort continues to utilize the strengths of the statewide network of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the educational and youth development of University of Illinois Extension programs. The goal is to raise awareness of oak forest decline in Illinois and across the Midwest and to promote tree planting as an educational program. In the first three years of the tree planting program, the partnership has planted 2,950 trees on 118 sites across the state in 65 different counties. (Application)
The purpose of the tree planting project is to educate students and their communities on
- The value of native oak trees and forests to Illinois natural history,
- Oaks as a keystone species in Illinois forests,
- Tree planting techniques and
- Oak tree identification.
The good news is funding for the 2025 tree planting has been secured. The Forestry Committee and Illinois Extension has received $7,500 in small project funding from the Illinois Forestry Development Council, AISWCD has committed $2,500 and the Extension 4-H Foundation will supply the balance of about $8,000. This year’s goal is to plant 1,000 trees with 40 SWCDs across the state.
This project will provide to each participating SWCD (at no charge) 25 Forest Keeling rpm potted oak trees, with each bundle consisting of 10 White Oak, 10 Red Oak and 5 Bur Oak. Project areas should be sustainable and on public property.
SWCDs are responsible for
- Taking delivery of trees prior to planting, which may include travel to a distribution location. The Forestry Committee will establish multiple distribution sites across the state to limit travel by SWCDs to no more than one hour.
- Taking care of trees until they are transferred to a local 4-H group for planting.
- (optional) Provide mulch, trunk protector, etc.
SWCDs and Extension share responsibility for acquiring a suitable planting site. Either partner may choose the site as long as both parties agree. One site per county.
- The site must be public property, large enough to plant 25 trees. The trees are to be planted together as a group to create a Savanna Habitat, proper spacing is 30 feet. This will require about ½ to ¾ of an acre.
- Public property should be a city, county or state park, nature area, bike trail, school, etc.
- Sites must be selected and confirmed when you submit your application. Extension offices should submit their applications to Curt Sinclair. SWCDs should submit their applications to Dale Shumaker.
There are some changes for the Spring 2025 planting,
- We will be using an application form this year, it must be filled out completely including participant signatures, to be considered.
- Due to the later announcement this year, we are extending the application deadline to January 31.
- There will be a limit of 40 participants.
- As in previous years, new participants will have priority over previous participants.
Map thanks to Kara Downin (download)
Previous participants are designated by a shade of green depending on the number of years involved. Districts that have yet to participate are not shaded on the map.
If you haven’t participated in the first three years, please consider taking part this year. Our ultimate goal is to establish at least one Oak Savanna in every county in the state, but this will take engagement from all SWCDs.
Thank you in advance for considering participating in the statewide tree planting project this year. It literally takes participation from every district – but together we can turn the state green.
AISWCD Forestry Committee
Josh Curry, David McCormick, Chuck Schafer, Kara Downin, Karla Smith and Dale Shumaker
