ALBION, Ill. – Over the last five years, Edwards County 4-H has planted 100 oak trees across Edwards County as part of the 4-H Green Communities Tree Program. The program was established in 2022 as a partnership between Illinois 4-H and the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts Forestry Committee with the goal of increasing Illinois’ oak tree population while emphasizing the importance of tree conservation.
The program utilizes local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and County 4-H programs to distribute and plant trees statewide each spring. County 4-H programs must apply to participate, and Edwards County 4-H has been fortunate to be selected each year they’ve applied.
The Village of West Salem was overjoyed to be selected as the 2026 location for the project and determined to plant trees at Four Corners Park. The park is located at the intersection of Church and Albion streets, encompassing all four corners of the adjoining blocks, hence the name Four Corners Park. Village Clerk Cindy Fuerst shared that, according to locals, the park once had several large trees that are no longer there.
On Monday, April 6, Edwards County 4-H members and leaders, along with representatives from the Edwards County SWCD, gathered to plant the trees. The group planted 25 oak trees, creating an oak tree savanna. Since 2022, oak trees have been planted at the Edwards County K-12 school in Albion, the former school in Bone Gap, and Roy M. Luthe Memorial Park in Albion.
Edwards County 4-H would like to thank the Edwards County SWCD for assisting with the program and the Village of West Salem, which will continue to care for the trees as they become established. For more information about Edwards County 4-H, contact the Edwards County Extension Office at 618-445-2934 or visit extension.illinois.edu/elrww.
