Families from across Winnebago County participated in the annual Winnebago County 4-H Tree Planting event, a day focused on forestry improvement and community stewardship. Eleven youth took part in the project. Each year, the program partners with the Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County to plant 25 oak trees, including bur oak, red oak, and white oak.
This year’s planting took place at Funderburg Forest Preserve in Rockford.
Participants shared that forestry activities are a favorite part of their 4-H experience and appreciated opportunities to try new activities and stay involved.
The event was made possible with support from Keith Krey of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County and Dennis Anthony of the Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District. Opportunities like this provide hands-on stewardship while reflecting the wide range of experiences 4-H offers youth.
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 500 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 five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.