2023 Conservation@Home Cook County Certification Application

Conservation@Home Cook County recognizes and certifies properties that demonstrate environmentally sound landscape practices. This program is brought to you by the partnership of Forest Preserves of Cook County and University of Illinois Extension.

Through the Conservation@Home certification program, residents of Cook County have the opportunity to shape their private landscapes in a conservation minded way with guidance and criteria provided for them. The biggest reward for integrating sustainable practices on your property is being aware that you are contributing to clean water, rich soil and resilient ecosystems that support people and wildlife.

Conservation@Home is a program of The Conservation Foundation. University of Illinois Extension is pleased to be a partner.

Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Street Address 2

City

State

ZIP

Daytime Phone

Evening Phone

E-mail Address

Address of Property and City/Town:

I learned about the Conservation@Home program from: Please check all that apply.

Yard certification sign

Programming at Forest Preserves event

Programming from Illinois Extension or Master Gardener/Naturalist

The Conservation Foundation program

Program flyer at library/community center

A website

A letter in the mail

Other

The approximate size of my property is: 1 acre = 43,560 square feet, 1/2 = acre 21,780 sf., 1/4 = acre 10,890 sf., A typical city lot is 25 x 125 which is 3,125 sf.

Less than 1/4 of a acre

1/4 acre to 1 acre

Over 1 acre

I have been integrating conservation efforts into my yard.

Yes

If yes, for how long?

Beginning to add changes

1 - 2 Years

3 - 4 Years

5+ Years

I have planted native flowers, grasses, shrubs or trees on my property.

Yes

Plant installation and management: Check all that apply

Incorporate a variety of native flowers and native grasses

Incorporate a variety of native trees and native shrubs

Create or restore native woodland, wetland or prairie

Manage invasive species

None of the above

I inherited a native woodland, wetland or prairie on my property.

Yes

I currently have buckthorn on my property. NOTE: Invasive plant species from around the world have spread across Cook County. One of the most problematic and abundant of these invaders is a tree called buckthorn.

Yes

No, I never had it.

No, I had it in the past, but I removed it.

I am unsure

Buckthorn is currently on my property to the following extent.

Small seedlings that sprout on my property

One or more isolated shrub(s) or tree(s)

A hedge or foundation planting less than 50 feet in length

An extensive thicket or hedge more than 50 feet in length

It is not on my property

In the past, I have done the following to remove buckthorn from my property.

Nothing

Occasionally pulled small sprouted plants from yard

Regularly pulled small sprouted plants from yard

Mechanically removed large individual shrubs or trees

Mechanically removed a hedge or thicket

Treated with herbicide to prevent growth

Wildlife habitat, offering food, shelter and water:

Provide bird feeders

Provide bird bath, pond or other water features

Leave native plants standing in fall

Landscape with native plants that attract birds or butterflies

Offer bird or bat houses

Retain brush piles, dead trees (where safely possible) and logs

None of the above

Water stewardship:

Use a rain barrel to gather and conserve rainwater

Use permeable patio, walk or driveway to reduce water runoff

Use native vegetation border around property to slow runoff

Direct water from downspouts to areas vegetated with native plants (including rain gardens and bioswales) to help retain and filter water.

Direct downspouts to a bed of rocks to slow the flow of water

Provide effective shoreline buffer to filter water and minimize erosion

None of the above

Use of chemicals:

Minimal/non-use of synthetic fertilizers

Minimal/non-use of synthetic pesticides

Utilize integrated pest management (IPM), apply pesticides as a last resort

Use organic fertilizers when needed

None of the above

Unique features on my property: (i.e. pond, shoreline vegetation, permeable pavers, storm water collection system, etc.)

Conservation practices are important to me because:

I am interested in certifying my property OR I am interested in being educated on sustainable landscaping and receiving resources.

Certification

More information on sustainable landscaping techniques

Chicago Living Corridor Alliance (CLCA), developed of a central map of our northeastern region of Illinois to capture the earth friendly efforts made by private landowners. By gathering data in a central platform, valuable information can increase our understanding of the quantity, quality, and connectivity of habitat across the region. As a member of Conservation@Home in Cook County, I would be interested in having my property be a part of this regional mapping exercise? Participation is voluntary.

Yes, I agree to have my property listed on the CLCA map

No, I do not agree to have my property listed on the CLCA map

Milkweed stems on my property, if any.(Asclepias genus) The Illinois Monarch Project are surveying how many milkweed plants are in the Cook County Area. Please indicate the amount of stems below.

None present

1-3

4-10

10-15

15 plus

I am unsure

Civil Rights Compliance - Participant Info

As part of our commitment to providing equal opportunities in our programming, University of Illinois Extension is required to collect and report overall statistics about the race, ethnicity, and gender of program participants. Your responses are voluntary and appreciated.

Gender

Ethnicity

Race