Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District, Roscoe Township and Winnebago County 4-H are looking for volunteers to help with planting a grouping of 25 oak trees at Founders Park, 4562 Hononegah Rd in Roscoe with the goal of tackling global issues at the local level.   Anyone that loves the outdoors and wants to help the environment is welcome to participate.

Carbon neutrality and nutrient runoff are complex issues facing our environment that can be combatted through planting new trees.

“We need to become ‘carbon neutral’ by producing less CO2 gas and finding new ways to absorb and hold these carbon molecules so they don’t get trapped in the atmosphere which adds to the warming of our planet,” says Curt Sinclair, University of Illinois Extension 4-H natural resources and shooting sports specialist. “At the same time, we need to reduce storm water runoff to improve water quality.”

The 2020-2030 Illinois Forest Action Plan, part of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, outlines the benefits of trees to Illinois residents.

“More trees will move us closer to cleaner water, healthier soils, more animals and birds, greater biological diversity, and cleaner air,” Sinclair says. “All these are critical to people’s health and quality of life.”

Illinois once held 14 million acres of trees, according to Sinclair. That number dropped to 3 million acres before intentional efforts 50 years ago began to reverse the decline. Today, Illinois has 5 million acres of trees.

In the spring of 2024, 4-H youth in Winnebago County and 43 other counties throughout Illinois will each plant a grouping of 25 oak trees on public properties in their county. The groups, called savanna, will bring new life to oak-hickory forests currently under threat in Illinois with total plantings across the state anticipated to hit 1,075 new trees.

“Community service is a key component of 4-H,” states 4-H Program Coordinator, Becky Gocken.  “By participating in this event, families gain a richer understanding of the importance oak trees have in our environment.”

Planting in Winnebago County will take place April 13.  Youth, adults, businesses, and other organizations that would like to participate in the planting process should contact Winnebago County Extension at 815-986-4357 or register online. Those interested may also support the program by visiting the crowdfunding page.

“Founders Park is a fairy new park to the area and is intended to preserve the area’s history and promote a sense of community for present and future generations.  By planting an oak savanna, our youth will be able to come and watch their trees grow as they grow,” states Gocken.

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.