Once you’ve successfully and sustainably removed your invasive species, the fun can begin!
Choosing replacement species can be the perfect reward for the hard work of managing invasive woody species. The resources below provide examples.
Healthy Habitats Brochure Series (Chicago Region Trees Initiative) This series of handout materials, including brochures and a poster, provide advice on native and nonnative plants that make great hedges, screens, and border plants, plus advice on sustainably managing small and large properties.
Online Tree Selector (The Morton Arboretum) This online tool helps you search for landscaping plants to learn about growth habit and preferred growing conditions.
Selecting Shrubs for Your Home (University of Illinois Extension) This interactive guide helps you identify the right shrub for your site.
After selecting the plants that suit your growing location, check out these tips for finding them locally.
The links below offer ways to find local nurseries, garden centers, plant sales, and even free trees.
Find it Locally webpage (Illinois Green Industry Association) This online tool helps you find local green professionals, including garden centers. Enter your location then select which type of green businesses you’re looking for to get a map of options.
Native Plant Sales (Illinois Native Plant Society) This listing of native plant sales in Illinois is a good source for replacing the invasive plants in your backyard and growing a healthier yard.
Restore the Canopy Plant A Tree program (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District) Free native trees are available for pickup in Cook County at MWRD facilities during the growing season.
Congratulations! The invasives are out, the beneficial plants are in, and it’s time to share your success story.
As you make progress in your yard, don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back! You deserve some kudos, and your neighbors will benefit from learning about your efforts. The programs linked below will help you get some recognition for your backyard accomplishments.
Chicago Living Corridors This ambitious project invites folks to add their address to an online map to work toward corridors of ecologically sustainable yards. Add your property to the map!
Conservation@Home programs There’s a Conservation@Home program in every county. Check here to find yours.
Land management can get expensive. Here are some resources that may offset costs.
Whether you’re working on a management plan, clearing invasives, or purchasing and planting replacement plants, restoration costs can add up. The grants and tax incentive programs below may be the support that keeps your project on track.
IDNR Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant offers funding for native gardens on school campuses.
The Conservation Stewardship Program offers tax incentives for restoration on five acres or more.
Take classes to learn land management skills.
Sometimes the nudge you need is just a bit more training from local professionals. Fortunately, the land management professionals in the Chicago region are generous with their knowledge. The programs linked below are a sampling of the great content to those seeking new skills.
Conservation Corps Program: partnership with nonprofit organizations and the City of Chicago’s Department of Transportation, these programs train and mobilize over 300 paid high school youth and adults each year to restore natural areas for the benefit of Cook County’s plants, animals and people.
Educational webinars (The Conservation Foundation)
Greencorps Chicago (City of Chicago) The City of Chicago’s green-industry employment program with on-the-job training in establishing, maintaining, and restoring natural and public spaces for individuals with barriers to employment.
Illinois Master Naturalist Program (University of Illinois Extension)
List of local prescribed burn trainings (Illinois Prescribed Fire Council)
Local forest preserve or conservation district: Most of these organizations have a wide range of workshops and training.
Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program (The Morton Arboretum) This is an in-depth training and certification program in natural areas restoration.