Fox River Bluffs Cropland Conversion

In 2020, the Kendall County Forest Preserve District planted over 30,000 trees and shrubs, and seeded just under 60-acres with prairie seed mixes as part of the Fox River Bluffs Cropland Conversion project. 

The trees and shrubs were planted over the course of 8-work days using a tractor-pulled tree planter loaned to the District by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  The planter works to open a gap in the soil that seedlings, or whips, are pushed into before closing behind.  Once planted, the soil is pushed back into place to insure proper soil contact.  After 5-years, the seedlings are now growing taller than the surrounding vegetation.  This Chronolog will help chart the growth of these trees at Fox River Bluffs, which are helping generate revenue for the District through the sale of voluntary carbon credits.