18 Illinois Communities Receive a Total of $150,000 in Environmental Grants from ComEd, Openlands

13th Annual ComEd Green Region Program Awards Grants up to $150,000 to enhance green spaces across northern Illinois

In their longstanding collaboration to create sustainable communities and maintain natural environments, ComEd and Openlands announced the 18 grant recipients of the 2025 Green Region Grant Program. This year, grants of up to $10,000 each, totaling over $150,000, were awarded to support preservation projects, expand habitats, combat climate change and create environmental education spaces in northern Illinois communities.

"ComEd proudly invests in the communities we serve across northern Illinois, and through our longstanding partnership with Openlands, we are supporting community-driven projects that will enhance green spaces all across northern Illinois," said Melissa Washington, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives. "This latest round of grant recipients features a diverse mix of projects to expand pollinator sites, curb the effects of climate change, and drive environmental innovations that will substantially impact the daily lives of our customers and communities throughout the region."

Since the grant program's launch in 2013, over $2.45 million in funding has been distributed across nearly three hundred conservation projects in local communities. This includes the support of over 86,000 feet of ADA-accessible trails, 1,800 acres of restored land and the planting of almost 39,000 new trees. This year, special consideration was given to projects that help the region adapt to climate change and support pollinator conservation. The program is funded by ComEd and administered by Openlands.

"Real change in our region requires cross-sector collaboration. Since 2013, the ComEd Green Region Grant has been made possible through a strong partnership between ComEd and Openlands. Together, we're expanding and protecting pollinator habitats, restoring green spaces, and empowering communities to care for the natural areas that sustain us all. This partnership is advancing our shared vision for a more biodiverse, climate-resilient region—where people and nature thrive together," said Michael Davidson, President & CEO of Openlands.

Details of the Green Region Grant Program can be found at Openlands.org/GreenRegion.

The 18 recipients and their funded projects of the 2025 Green Region Grant Program are:

The Conservation Foundation (Algonquin) in partnership with Friends of Dundee Natural Areas and Dundee Township, will restore four acres of prairie at Dixie Briggs Fromm Nature Preserve in Dundee Township. This restoration will provide a protective buffer for the preserve's extremely rare dry prairie.

Chicago Park District (Chicago) will convert an abandoned parcel within the North Park Village Complex into an interactive native plant propagation workshop. They will install a greenhouse and grow pollinator-friendly and climate resilient species to improve the Nature Center.

Friends of Gray PTO (Chicago) will support the Gray School Native Garden, which will provide a natural, calming gathering space for students. This project will demonstrate climate resiliency, conservation and solutions to stormwater management.

Just Roots (Chicago) will use regenerative practices to plant a variety of trees, shrubs, and grasses at It Takes A Village Community Farm. This will enhance soil quality, improve water retention, attract pollinators and expand biodiversity.

Latinos Progresando (Chicago) will focus on maintenance and community conservation at the Hammond Elementary Green Schoolyard, which was created in 2024. The space features a sensory garden which is home to 500 plants and over 40 pollinator species.

Logan Square Preservation (Chicago) will transform an underutilized lot into a pollinator garden and vibrant green space. Built in honor of Norwegian immigrant and artist Emil Biorn, it will offer Logan Square residents a place to gather and connect with nature.

NeighborSpace (Chicago) will create La Esquinita Community Garden in Little Village. The garden will be composed of trees, perennials including native milkweed, and a play area surrounded by culturally relevant signage.

Origin Woods Restoration (Chicago) through Voice of the City, will restore a .83-acre property in West Pullman with pre-settlement trees and native perennials. This will be the beginning stages of the community's larger restoration plan.

DeKalb Regional Office of Education (DeKalb) will be creating Toddler Gardens which will provide a space for young children and their families to learn about nature through brain-boosting activities.

Climate Action Evanston (Evanston) will support their program Edible Evanston, which captures rainwater to mitigate the challenges of dramatic rainfall. This will provide a haven for native plants, fruits and wildlife.

Flossmoor School District 161 (Flossmoor) through the Parker Junior High School Green Team and in partnership with the Flossmoor Green Commission, will create a pollinator garden on school grounds. The garden will provide students with hands-on environmental education and sustainability awareness.

City of Harvard (Harvard) will plant a variety of oak trees in Lions Park to expand their established oak habitat. Oak trees have the highest habitat value for many pollinators, so the increased population will provide for more butterflies and birds.

North Chicago CUSD 187 (North Chicago) will redevelop the landscape at Neal Math and Science Academy by creating an outdoor learning space for 25 students. This will include new compost bins, native plants and increased student interactions with trees, birds and pollinators.

Peace Village (Palos Park), a senior living facility, will restore its natural landscape and create a Monarch Waystation; they will also be removing invasive species. All efforts will benefit its senior residents and local community.

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (Warrenville) will construct a greenhouse in its Native Plant Nursery. The nursery is expected to double the District's native seed collection and distribution efforts. This project will ensure the protection of local biodiversity and increase natural pollinators.

The Theosophical Society in America (Wheaton) will purchase 50 trees for their 42-acre Level 1 public arboretum. Included in this will be place-based education in the form of a smartphone-based tree tour and research tool for visitors.

Friends of the Woodstock Public Library (Woodstock) will partner with environmental nonprofits to create walking paths to encourage patron exploration and reimagine the land to establish native pollinator habitats and increase biodiversity.

Kendall County Forest Preserve District (Yorkville) will complete trail construction to connect three forest preserves. This will support restoration of preserved lands which include a pollinator support habitat for the rusty patch bumblebee.

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