HELP PLANT TREES–Randolph County Soil and Water Conservation District and the University of Illinois Extension 4-H program recently participated in the Illinois Statewide Tree Planting Initiative. Pictured helping plant trees in Chester on April 13 are 4-H members and members of Girl Scout Troop 8234 of Steeleville (not in order): Isla Mitchell, Mallory Mueller, Emma Rieckenberg, Karinna Schnoeker, Cara Mueller, Sophie Rieckenberg, Hadley McMaster and Lennon McMaster.
For the third year the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District Forestry Committee, Illinois Extension, and Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District partnered for a statewide tree planting project.
This effort uses the strengths of the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District network and the educational and youth development programs of University of Illinois Extension to create an oak recovery and tree planting educational program.
The eventual goal is to restore oak savannas across the state. Local projects will plant red, white and bur oaks on public land.
For more on the project, please see this week’s print edition.