Orangeville, Ill. – The Butterfly Farm in Stephenson County is now home to an oak tree savanna thanks to local youth and community members. The group of 25 oak trees, called a savanna, will bring new life to oak-hickory forests currently under threat in Illinois.
The 4-H Green Communities Tree Program focuses on tackling global issues at a local level.
“Oak savannas are being overtaken by invasive species, as well as more shade-tolerant trees, such as maples,” says Curt Sinclair, University of Illinois Extension 4-H specialist. “Illinois 4-H is primed to take action to increase the number of oak trees in the state. The natural world is talking to us, and Illinois 4-H is primed to listen, learn, and act.”
The Butterfly Farm at 10405 Bellview Rd in Orangeville, IL was chosen to be the site for our second planting of an oak tree savanna due to its location and access for the public. “The Butterfly Farm is just off the Jane Addams Trail and is accessible from both the trail and road. It is a quiet and peaceful slice of heaven that the public can access to enjoy nature, hear the birds chirp, and enjoy the prairie grasses,” says Brenda Heimann the Stephenson County 4-H Program Coordinator.
7 youths took part in the planting in Stephenson County along with adults from the Stephenson County Soil and Water Conservation District, Northwest Illinois Forestry Association, Pheasants Forever, and the University of Illinois Extension, including Master Gardeners.“We chose April 22 for our planting date since it was Earth Day! This helped bring a special awareness to both our youth and the community workers about the importance of planting trees, why we plant trees, and how to take care of them properly,” says Heimann.
Throughout the spring of 2023, youth in 38 counties throughout Illinois are planting groupings of 25 oak trees on public properties in their county for a total of 950 newly planted trees across the state, with new plantings totaling 1725 between this year and last year.
The 4-H Green Communities Tree Program follows the "learn-by-doing" philosophy of 4-H and is guided by the priorities of the Illinois Forest Action Plan. To help support this project, please visit: https://go.illinois.edu/4hgreencommunity.
Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences.