Volunteers needed to plant oak trees

They will dig the holes if you plant the trees. The Kane County Forest Preserve District seeks volunteers to help plant 400 oak trees on Saturday, Sept. 26, as part of National Public Lands Day.

It is America's largest hands-on, volunteer effort to improve and enhance public lands.

Last year, an estimated 120,000 Americans took part by building trails and bridges, removing trash and invasive plants, and planting more than 1.6 million trees. 2009 marks the event's 16th year.

Locally, the forest preserve district is looking for volunteers to help plant oak trees between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve in Elburn.

This will be the third year that trees have been planted at Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve as part of the event. Drew Ullberg, director of natural resources, said the goal is to re-create an oak savanna that once stood at that preserve. Each year, plantings are adjacent to what was planted the prior year. Ullberg said he hopes to get between five and 10 trees planted per acre, with 2,000 total trees planted over five years.

"This is a terrific event because it brings the community together, anyone can take part, and it improves the forest preserves for generations to come," said Laurie Metanchuk, director of community affairs. "We had just about 100 volunteers come out last year, and we hope to have even more take part this year."

For information on the forest preserve event or to R.S.V.P., contact the district's volunteer coordinator Julia Bourque at (630) 762-2741. Information on National Public Lands Day is also available at www.kaneforest.com.