Annual Green Region program powers
sustainability with more than $200,000 in funding for open-space
projects
To support habitats and other open-space projects throughout
northern Illinois, ComEd and Openlands today announced grants to 26
public agencies through the annual ComEd Green Region Program.
Grantees receive up to $10,000 each to plan, acquire, and improve
local parks, natural areas and recreation resources. Some grants
focus on enhancing pollinator habitats and protecting pollinator
species, such as butterflies and bees.
“Together with our partners at Openlands, we are proud to
support organizations that are making meaningful differences to
restore and enhance natural habitats and biodiversity,” said
Melissa Washington, vice president of governmental and external
affairs at ComEd. “It’s the perfect balance of meeting our future
energy needs and powering a brighter and more sustainable future
for our customers and the communities we serve.”
Since the inception of the Green Region Program in 2013, ComEd
has awarded more than $1.3 million to municipalities across
northern Illinois to help fund their open-space projects. ComEd
provides the funding, and Openlands, one of the oldest metropolitan
conservation organizations in the nation, administers the grants to
local communities.
“The ComEd Green Region Program is an important commitment to
sustainability across northern Illinois and a commitment to
providing residents with access to natural open spaces,” said Jerry
Adelmann, Openlands President and CEO. “Over the last seven years,
we’ve seen how the Green Region Program has helped communities
enhance many parks and trails for learning, enjoyment, and
supporting wildlife, and the support from ComEd has been vital. We
extend our gratitude to ComEd, and we want to thank the many
partners who have implemented these projects across the
region.”
Due to a recent decline in pollinators throughout northern
Illinois, and strong interest in pollinator conservation, the 2019
Green Region projects again focus on advancing and protecting the
region’s essential pollinator species. Earlier this year, public
agencies from across communities that ComEd serves submitted grant
applications, which were then reviewed by an advisory committee
composed of county government officials and members of the region's
conservation community.
Additional information on the ComEd Green Region Program can be
found at Openlands.org/GreenRegion.
The 26 ComEd Green Region Program grant recipients for 2019
are:
Woods Creek Headwaters Pollinator Project (Village of
Algonquin): This project will improve the ecological health of
six acres of sedge meadow wetlands for the benefit of native
pollinator species. It includes invasive phragmites removal, native
sedge meadow interseeding, and public education.
Restoration Along the Fox River in Downtown Aurora (City of
Aurora): This project will restore native flora along the Fox
River, to create a buffer between the river and adjacent impervious
pavements, especially public parking lots. The restored site will
intercept surface runoff, thereby reducing pollutants flowing into
the river, and provide a habitat for native species of birds and
insect pollinators.
Lily Cache Beneficial Insect and Pollinator Habitat
Restoration Project (Bolingbrook Park District): This project
involves the development of six pods, ranging in size from
one-quarter to two acres, to provide essential habitat for the life
cycle completion of native beneficial insects and pollinators.
Pollinator Habitat Establishment at Sewell Conservation Area
(Boone County Conservation District): This project will
establish 17 acres of new habitat to benefit both pollinators and
conservation area visitors for years to come. This agricultural
conversion is part of a 200-acre conservation area that will become
a high-quality wetland within the Kishwaukee River watershed in
northern Illinois.
Glenbriar Park Phase II (Butterfield Park District): This
project will complete the second and final phase of a park project
entitled Glenbriar Park Expansion. This land has already been
acquired and prepared for development, and the grant will support
installation of a shelter, looped walking trails, and a pollinator
garden.
Increasing Plant Biodiversity to Support Pollinators at West
Pullman Park Natural Area (Chicago Park District): This project
will improve the West Pullman Park Natural Area for people and
wildlife through the installation of native woody and herbaceous
plants to increase biodiversity and provide an abundance of food
sources for pollinators. Interpretive signage will also be
installed to explain the impacts of the improved habitat
conditions.
Doerhoffer and Whitlock Park Detention Area Plantings
(Downers Grove Park District): This project involves taking two
currently mowed detention basins and converting them to native
vegetation. It includes initial herbicide applications and the
installation of native seed, native plugs, and interpretive
signage. The project eliminates mowing, and provides enhanced
habitat, improved water quality, educational opportunities, and the
opportunity for passive park uses.
Fox Valley Park District Pollinator Recovery Project (Fox
Valley Park District): This project will expand pollinator
habitat and food sources, while increasing regional native
vegetation presence. The Stuart Sports Complex portion of the
project will connect existing prairie by converting nearly 20 acres
of turf grass into native wildflower-enriched prairie, which is
crucial to the survival of pollinators.
Canoe Launch Access Road and Trail Improvements (City of
Genoa): This project will provide a paved trail that connects
Citizens Park to additional nature trails, native prairies,
wetlands, and the DeKalb County Forest Preserve. The paved access
road will also provide a better road surface for vehicles and
pedestrians when accessing the canoe launch and adjacent amenities
in Citizens Park.
Pollinators for Park Pointe (City of Harvard): This
project will restore a portion of one of the city’s parks to a
natural and native pollinator park. This project is beneficial in
helping to promote an educational outdoor experience for the
community as a whole.
Healthy Hedges to Replace Buckthorn - Old Barrington Road
(Village of Lake Barrington): This project will demonstrate an
alternative to buckthorn and encourage residents to do the same on
their private property. Buckthorn is linked to declining
populations of songbirds and the disappearance of native
ecosystems. Removing and replacing buckthorn with native trees,
shrubs, grasses, and flowers provides habitat to support
wildlife.
Restoration and Transformation: The Making of a Local
Arboretum from a Forgotten Park (Village of Lake Zurich): This
project will direct resources into nearly eight acres of vastly
underutilized village park to rebrand the space as a conservation
arboretum, with a focus on oak preservation, invasive species, and
the importance of pollinators. The Village plans to work with
community volunteers and non-profit organizations to rehabilitate
an abandoned walking trail and remove invasive buckthorn and
huckleberry. Pollinator vegetation, picnic tables, benches, and
three interpretive-learning kiosk stations with individual
play-pocket areas will be installed as part of the project. The
Village will also install a new entry sign for Kuechmann
Arboretum.
Northwest Illinois Aerial Combat Memorial (Village of
Lena): This project will support improvements to a local
military memorial park, including the addition of an F-4 Phantom
jet on a pylon as the park’s centerpiece. Other improvements will
include brick walkways, trees, grass, bushes, benches, a flagpole,
didactic placards, light standards, and a three-foot brick wall
along the back.
Hastings Butterfly Path (Village of Lindenhurst): This
project will enable public access to Lake County Forest Preserve
District's Hastings Lake preserves via a connective trail to be
bordered by native plants. This pathway will benefit both the
community and pollinators by extending the forest preserve's green
corridor.
Pollinator Habitat Garden at Terrace View Park (Lombard Park
District): This project will transform an area of Terrace View
Park into a pollinator habitat to educate visitors on the
significance of Illinois native plants and the pollinators that
inhabit them. Improvements include native plantings, an educational
kiosk, and signage to empower visitors to partake in the
conservation mission and vision.
Rock River Parks and Open Space Plan (Village of Machesney
Park): This project will create a parks and open space plan for
63 acres along the Rock River in Machesney Park.
Kelly Park Accessible (ADA) Improvements (Village of Orland
Hills): This project will provide access from the Kelly Park
Walking Pathway to two new asphalt sectional pathways which
continue to two paved gazebos/picnic shelters. Under each paved
gazebo, new ADA-accessible picnic tables will be installed. The
Kelly Park Accessible Improvements are designed to increase
accessibility for all patrons to enjoy the park areas.
Ashcroft Lake Native Shoreline Restoration (Oswegoland Park
District): This project will restore the exposed mud flats of a
lowered lake water table, per village requirements. It will also
re-establish emergent, water-level, and upland areas around the
lake with native plugs and seed.
Village of Palos Park Pollinator Garden Project (Village of
Palos Park): This project will convert part of Centennial Park
into a pollinator garden, with emphasis on native plants that
provide food and habitat for pollinators. An informational kiosk,
benches, and water features will inform visitors of the garden’s
ecological importance and create a relaxing ambiance.
Maine Park Pollinator Garden (Park Ridge Park District):
This project will revitalize the main entrance to Maine Park
Leisure Center and Preschool. Improvements include the installation
of a pollinator garden with two educational signs and themed
hardscape and native plants selected to attract pollinators. The
intent is to provide a habitat for pollinator species utilizing a
balance of host plants, nectar plants, and shelter plants, increase
awareness and interest in pollinator gardens, and provide an
educational opportunity for students and patrons through signage
and potential future programming.
Parkways for Pollinators (Village of River Forest -
Sustainability Commission): This project will transform
resident parkways into native plant oases which mitigate flooding
through deep root natives. It will also provide habitats for
butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators, expand the
village’s Native Garden Corridor, involve families in fun planting
activities, and educate residents about the benefits of natural
garden and lawn care.
Village of Romeoville's Wetland Pollinator Initiative
(Village of Romeoville Parks & Recreation Department): This
project will convert degraded wetlands and stormwater management
basins into diverse native plant communities. These areas will
expand critical habitat and food sources for pollinators, while
increasing regional native wetland presence.
Round Lake Invasive Plant Remediation and Native Plant
Improvement Project (Village of Round Lake): This project will
remove invasive species and repopulate the area with native plants
to create educational opportunities, enhance public spaces, and
increase pollinator habitats.
Clock Tower Park Expansion (Village of Schiller Park):
This project expands Clock Tower Park, which is located in the
heart of Schiller Park. The expansion includes a pollinator
demonstration garden, rain garden, playground equipment, and
enhanced landscaping. The project offers residents additional
leisure opportunities.
Otter Creek Bend Wetland Habitat Restoration (St. Charles
Park District): This project will create a prairie ecosystem on
a slope overlooking the wetland, providing habitat for pollinators
and other wildlife and greater public visibility of the wetland. It
includes invasive species removal and native plant installation in
portions of the 69-acre Otter Creek Bend Park.
Winfield Riverwalk-Wetland Restoration and Pollinator
Conservation (Village of Winfield): This project will reform
unused space into an enjoyable and accessible amenity in Winfield
Township and includes a wetland/pollinator area. Located along the
recently completed West Branch DuPage River Trail, the Riverwalk
will be fully accessible and offer numerous amenities to all
visitors and families, including educational opportunities and
opportunities to enjoy the natural habitat.
ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC),
a Fortune 100 energy company with approximately 10 million
electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of
customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million
customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s
population. For more information visit ComEd.com and connect with
the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Founded in 1963, Openlands is one of the nation’s oldest and
most successful metropolitan conservation organizations, having
helped secure, protect, and provide public access to more than
55,000 acres of land for parks, forest preserves, wildlife refuges,
land and water greenway corridors, and urban gardens. For more
information, please visit openlands.org.
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