Founders Park in Winnebago 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.”

Founders Park was chosen as a part of their restoration to the property.  They have recently opened the newly built community center in 2023.  They have created a native prairie, pollinators, shrubs and now an oak tree savanna.   Soon there will be compacted limestone walking paths winding through the area.  Mary Ryan, Activities Coordinator for the Roscoe Township Community Center states, “ I could not say enough good things about how well it was organized and how helpful the kids were.  It was just truly amazing and a joy to work with all of them.”

“It was great to see the kids and families come out and help plant the trees which benefit the environment, and hopefully they watch them grow as they do,” stated Dennis Anthony of the Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Numerous families took part in the planting in Winnebago County.  This was the third oak tree savanna planting collaboration between Winnebago County 4-H and the Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District.  In 2022, twenty-five oak trees were planted at Rock Valley College and in 2023, and oak tree savanna was planted at Levings Lake Park in Rockford.

“It’s wonderful to see all the families working together to improve the environment and we couldn’t have had better weather for this event,” states Becky Gocken, Winnebago County 4-H program coordinator.  “We have planted a savanna on the east side of the county, west side of the county, and now north side of the county.  Hopefully, next year we receive the trees again and can plant on the south side of the county.”

Throughout the spring of 2024, youth in 43 counties throughout Illinois are planting groupings of 25 oak trees on public properties in their county for a total of 1,075 newly planted trees across the state, with new plantings totaling 2800 between the last three years of the program

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.

Prairie Materials provided support for this program.