Campton Township volunteers plant 50 burr oak trees to say 'thanks'

Volunteers from a Campton Township environmental organization planted 50 burr oak trees around the area Saturday as a way to say "thanks" for the community's ongoing efforts to preserve open space.

Mike Tyrrell, president of the E-3 nonprofit group, and about a dozen other volunteers planted 40 trees at the Headwaters Conservation Area along Beith Road, and 10 more in the Fox Mill subdivision along Route 64.

Tyrrell said the group wanted to acknowledge the township's ongoing open space program, which began about 10 years ago with a voter-supported tax referendum and culminated March 1 with the $7 million purchase of a 208-acre farm along Burlington and Corron roads.

With last month's purchase of Grey Willow Farm, the township now owns more than 1,300 acres of open space, wetlands, prairies and other natural areas, including Headwaters.

"We're just absolutely pleased with all Campton Township has done for the environment," Tyrrell said. "They've just done an incredible job."

Tyrrell said E-3 is supported by private donations and has roughly 200 members in Kane and Lake counties who advocate for environmental causes and conservation across the region.

For more information, call (630) 584-5432.