On Saturday, April 26, Stephenson County 4-H youth and volunteers came together to celebrate 4-H’s National Day of Service by giving back to their environment and community. As part of a larger statewide initiative, 4-H members partnered with the Jane Addamsland Park Foundation and the Stephenson County Soil and Water Conservation District to plant 25 native oak seedlings at the Butterfly Farm just outside Orangeville, Illinois.
The event was a part of the Illinois 4-H Green Communities Tree Program, a statewide collaboration between Illinois 4-H and Soil and Water Conservation Districts to rebuild Illinois’ native ecosystems — one tree at a time. Did you know that Illinois once had 14 million acres of trees, but now only has only 5 million due to modern development? This spring, dozens of counties across Illinois, including Stephenson County, are working to reverse that trend by planting fire-resistant, native oak species in public spaces for communities to enjoy.
The 25-tree oak savanna planted by 4-H members and volunteers will help restore a unique and vital ecosystem — rebuilding ¾ of an acre at a time. These trees will not only enhance local parks and green spaces, but also provide essential wildlife habitat, stabilize erodible soils, and support the fight against climate change. Volunteers included 4-H member parents as well as representatives from: University of Illinois Extension, Jane Addamsland Park Foundation, Northwest Illinois Forestry, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service for Stephenson County, Stephenson County Soil and Water Conservation District, Northwest Illinois Bird and Nature Alliance, and Illinois Pheasants Forever.
“This project allowed our 4-H members to put their pledge into action — using their hands for larger service,” said Stephenson County 4-H and Youth
Development Program Coordinator Jen Schultz. “They gained knowledge, made a real environmental impact, and helped create an oak savanna for future generations to enjoy.”
Through this experience, youth learned:
- The ecological benefits of native plants and animals
- The importance and role of oak trees as a keystone species
- How oak savannas contribute to healthy habitats and climate resilience
- How trees grow, what they need to thrive, and how to properly plant them
4-H members and clubs continue to demonstrate they are True Leaders in Service, supporting both personal and club goals of community betterment. This day of service truly showcased the 4th “H” in 4-H — pledging their hands to larger service — by fostering community service and a strong sense of environmental stewardship.
The Stephenson County 4-H program is proud to offer meaningful, hands-on opportunities that educate and empower youth to make a lasting difference.
For more information about Stephenson County 4-H or how to get involved in future service projects, please contact Jen Schultz at the University of Illinois Extension – Stephenson County office by phone at (815) 235-4125 or by email at js80@illinois.edu.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond ready—ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped for life today and ready to thrive tomorrow.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.