Special Event - Spring Clean Up!

Learn how to best prepare your landscape for a new year of growth while incorporating practices that promote sustainability and support local wildlife. Expert volunteers will share best practices and the "why" behind them.

We'll be presenting the program on Wednesday, March 27 from 10-11:30am at Thatcher Woods Pavilion | Chicago Ave, west of Thatcher Ave, River Forest, IL 60305

 This program will be conducted entirely in-person with the opportunity for Q&A with our presenters.

Register here!

 

Spring Native Plant Sale

West Cook Wild One's Spring Native Plant sale is live for pre-ordering now through May 15! Shop here.

 

Encouraging Environmentally Sound Landscape Practices

Conservation@Home Cook County recognizes and certifies properties that demonstrate environmentally sound landscape practices. Through the Conservation@Home certification program, residents of Cook County have the opportunity to shape their private and community landscapes in a conservation-minded way with guidance and criteria provided for them. Below you will find criteria for homes, schools, and community settings. 

This program is brought to you by the partnership of Forest Preserves of Cook County and University of Illinois Extension.

Cook County Yard Certification Process

For a one-time fee of $50, certified gardeners will receive a Conservation@Home sign to post in their yard, a subscription to our seasonal newsletter, and early notifications/discounts during native plants sales. *Fee waivers are available for those with financial needs. 

Steps for Certification:
  1. Resident submits application.
  2. Conservation@Home program staff review application.
  3. If applicant is not ready for certification, resources are provided.
  4. If applicant is ready for certification, resident pays $50 fee.
  5. Resident schedules a yard/property visit.
  6. C@H evaluators visit property.
  7. If criteria is met, Conservation@Home sign is awarded to resident.
     

Please note: we will be pausing evaluations from November 2023 - March 2024. We will still be welcoming applications and new members during this time. We'll simply wait to schedule evaluations until the springtime.

It can be difficult for us to evaluate sites when many plants have gone to bed for the winter, so we'll be picking back up once hibernation is over! Questions? Contact Elizabeth McDermott at emm13@illinois.edu.

 

 

Cook County Conservation@Home Criteria

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Conservation@Home on the Road

Request Conservation@Home programming for your next event! Our knowledgeable staff and volunteers can offer presentations and host tables to help spread the program's message throughout Cook County.

Request

Conservation@Home is a program of The Conservation Foundation. University of Illinois Extension is pleased to be a partner.