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Tree Planting Project: 17 years and more than a quarter million trees

The Tree Planting Project improves and protects the health of the watershed and fishery of the Illinois River and its tributaries by helping landowners plant native trees along riparian areas (lands beside the waters) of the Illinois River Valley. Over time, these trees bestow many benefits upon the waters, the land, and upon us.

  • Their roots hold the banks in place, reducing erosion and stream siltation.
  • Their canopy and leaf litter reduce runoff in heavy rains, and help to lessen erosion and siltation.
  • The roots and duff serve as a cleansing filter for the rainwater that cycles back to the streams and groundwater.
  • They provide food and habitat for birds, animals, fish and people.
  • Their shade provides cooler water temperatures for salmon, steelhead, and other trout, as well as reducing evaporation during the heat of summer.
  • They clean our air, absorb carbon dioxide, and release essential oxygen.

Even the fallen tree plays an important role, creating quiet backwaters for the fish, protecting their spawning beds, and lessening the velocity of floodwaters.

These are just some of the benefits trees provide. We are sure you can think of many more.

How does the Project work?

The project focuses on planting riparian areas of private landowners in the Illinois Valley. We offer a free site consultation with the owner to help develop a workable planting plan that will meet both the needs of the landowner and the land. Recommendations on the best type, number, location and spacing of the seedlings are suggested. We also provide a variety of native seedling trees suitable to the owner's riparian area.

How much does it cost?

Not a thing. The site consultation and the seedlings are free. Of course, there is some labor involved in planting and caring for your seedlings. They will especially need a little TLC the first year or two.

We also offer advice and information on their care. Maybe even some mulch, shade cards, and other planting aids when we can.

What if I cannot plant the trees myself?

We encourage people to plant their own trees whenever they can. (And to take only as many as they feel they can plant and care for). But if you aren't able to do it yourself, we will try our best to include you on one of our volunteer planting days.

Volunteer Planting Day

This is a very special day when a diverse group of people comes together to help their neighbors, their watershed, and their community. Citizens, school groups, clubs, government agencies, and businesses all gather to plant seedling and share a meal together. But much more grows out of these days than just trees. Come help us plant and you will see what we mean.

What we've accomplished so far!

Since 1993 around 300,000 seedlings have been planted by landowners and volunteers on 252 acres of private property on more than 15 miles of riparian land. This project succeedes in building relationships that improve the lands & waterways of the Valley. It proves what a community can accomplish when it works together.

How can you take part?

Just let us know you are interested. We are always looking for new riparian properties to include in the program as well as encouraging past participants to plant again if their land needs it.

And we would love to hear from you if you want to help out on a volunteer day or in any other way. Suggestions are always welcome on ways to make the project better.