WOODRIDGE, Ill. – Boundary Hills in DuPage County is now home to 25 new oak trees thanks to local 4-H youth, community members, and organizations. The group of oak trees, known as a savanna, will help restore this tornado-damaged area, as well as supplement oak-hickory forests currently under threat in Illinois.

“Oak savannas are being overtaken by invasive species, as well as more shade-tolerant trees, such as maples,” said Curt Sinclair, University of Illinois Extension 4-H specialist. “The natural world is talking to us, and Illinois 4-H is primed to listen, learn, and act.”

Illinois 4-H partnered with Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) to help bolster local forests by planting 950 oak trees in 38 counties this spring. The 4-H Green Communities Tree Program tackles global issues at a local level by combining the "learn by doing" philosophy of 4-H with guidance of the Illinois Forest Action Plan. When combined with the 2022 plantings, this effort brought a total of 1,725 new oak trees to our state.

On April 2, local volunteers – including 4-H families, Master Gardeners, and Master Naturalists – teamed up to plant a mix of bur, red, and white oak species in an area damaged by a June 2021 tornado. The new savanna is a step toward restoring the site that lost an estimated 300 mature trees.

Kane-DuPage SWCD provided the trees and mulch, and staff of Woodridge Park District, University of Illinois Extension, and SWCD gave guidance and provided a tree planting demonstration.

“It was wonderful to see everyone come together and dig in to help 4-H with this effort,” said Nancy Reppe, 4-H Program Coordinator in DuPage County. “Together, we’re making a difference for the environment and future generations. The 4-H youth learned how to plant and mulch trees properly, and we look forward to watching these oak trees grow over time.”

To help support this project, visit go.illinois.edu/4hgreencommunity. Prairie Materials provided support for this program. Learn more about 4-H in DuPage, Kane, and Kendall counties at go.illinois.edu/info4Hdkk.

About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs. 

For Further Information, contact:

Sources:  Curt Sinclair, University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist, and Nancy Reppe, 4-H Program Coordinator DuPage County

Writers:  Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office, and Rosie Ralston, Publicity and Promotion Specialist for DuPage, Kane, and Kendall Counties