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Trees Forever water quality initiatives provide opportunities for farmers, rural landowners, and watershed residents to improve water quality through demonstration projects, watershed planning and education.
The purpose of the Illinois Buffer PartnershipTM is to improve water quality by establishing buffers of trees, shrubs and grasses along streams and in wetlands in Illinois. Combined with other best management practices, results include:
• slowed runoff from fields
• reduced soil erosion
• filtered and purified water
• increased wildlife habitat
• additional farm income
• visual screens
• education on water quality practices
Who is eligible to participate?
• Farmers
• rural landowners
• watershed residents
What are the goals of this program?
The goal of this program is for landowners to host a field demonstration day in which they will share their knowledge with interested neighbors and friends.
What assistance or services are provided through this program?
Participants are eligible to receive up to a maximum of $2,000 cost share and may participate in a half-price seed deal with GROWMARK.
What is the application deadline?
December 31, 2010. Applicants will be notified in February if they have been selected as a participating landowner.
Thanks to the Sponsors
The Illinois Council on Best Management Practices, Syngenta, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Growmark
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Program Highlights (2000-2008)
146 demonstration projects
3624 acres of buffer planted
44 miles of streams protected
868,546 trees and shrubs planted
1061 landowners and volunteers involved
22,028 volunteer hours recorded
Trees Forever is also accepting applications for a special Conservation Buffer Demonstration Project along waterways in the Upper Mississippi Watershed area of Iowa and Illinois. Eligible properties must be in watersheds where flooding occurred in 2008. The goal of this project is to increase or restore wildlife habitat and improve water quality in the flood-affected Upper Mississippi Watershed area. Preference will be given to highly visible sites with added educational value. Up to $3,000 in cost share funds per site are available through this project.
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