Lake County Forest Preserve District (the District) planted trees at 16 preserves from 2019 through 2021. In total, the District planted 2,660 trees representing 24 species.

The District manages nearly 31,000 acres of land for conservation, recreation, and education. In order to restore and enhance preserve lands that were historically altered (e.g., forests cleared and converted to agricultural use), the District implements the Reforestation Program to restore natural forest types to historically altered or degraded lands, reduce habitat fragmentation, restore forest connectivity, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve the aesthetic quality of the preserves.

This project was implemented entirely by the Lake County Forest Preserve District; however, this project and its outcomes support many regional and state objectives including Oak Ecosystem Recovery and Urban Canopy goals of the Chicago Region Trees Initiative; Key Findings and Recommendations of Chicago Wilderness’ Biodiversity Recovery Plan; Illinois Forest Resource Strategies and Actions of the Illinois Forest Action Plan; and numerous actions from several campaigns listed within The Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan & Strategy (Illinois Wildlife Action Plan).

Total Credits Issued: 615

• 2021: 615 credits issued

Total Credits Sold: 615

• 2022: 615 credits sold

Total Credits Retired: 200

• 2024: 200 credits retired

Total Credits Cancelled: 0

Total Credits Available for Purchase: 0

Trees planted as part of this project will provide ecosystem services, also known as co-benefits, when they reach 25 years old. The co-benefits represent a savings of $219,120.95 per year, and $5,478,023.71 over the next 25 to 50 years.

• Rain interception: 15,342.38 m3/year, $109,837.06 per year
• Air quality: 0.4684 tons/year, $2,186.89 per year
• Energy – cooling (electricity): 454,631.80 kWh/year, $34,506.55 per year
• Energy – heating (natural gas): 6,746,192.64 kBtu/year, $65,672.38 per year
• CO2 avoided from energy savings: 345.90 tons/$20 tons/year, $6,918.07 per year