Initially developed by The Conservation Foundation, Conservation@Home encourages homeowners to establish Earth-friendly landscapes that minimize pollution and negative impacts on the environment, while maximizing habitats for native species. In Cook County, the C@H programs support conservation landscape practices for residential properties, libraries, community centers, faith-based organizations, and schools, such as Kellogg Elementary (pictured right).
This program is a partnership between Forest Preserve of Cook County and University of Illinois Extension staff, who work together to create and refine the C@H checklists specific to the various types of properties listed above. In addition, Extension provides resources and trainings to Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists, schedules property visits, manages website content and registrations, and distributes signs.
To educate home gardeners with respect to the conservation landscaping best practices outlined in the C@H checklist, Extension staff and volunteers offer unbiased, research-driven programs at nature centers, garden clubs, and libraries. Programming became available via online platforms in 2020. Topics include digging deep with soils, native landscape design, natural lawn care, etc. Each season, a new environmental topic is developed and the program is offered at three locations throughout Cook County. Figure 6.6 shows the number of applications, certified members, and those in consultation for certification in 2020.
Figure 6.6. Conservation@Home applications, certified members, and those consulting on certifications
Staff create and distribute a seasonal C@H newsletter to members and volunteers. The newsletter includes resources and articles by Extension educators, University of Illinois researchers, and other relevant experts, as well as upcoming educational opportunities and plant sales. Staff and volunteers work with schools, libraries, and other community organizations that need assistance in getting started on or meeting the C@H criteria. This assistance mainly involves garden mentorship, but may also involve training, sourcing plant material, and programming.
C@H hosts an annual appreciation event, historically a luncheon, to recognize the members and volunteers of the program. Other partners include Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago Region Tree Initiative, Field Museum, Openlands, U.S. Forestry, West Cook Wild Ones, and, in the past, MWRDGC.
More information can be found at fpdcc.com/nature/conservationathome/.
