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Village ecologist updates trustees on woodland protections, cost‑share program and oak decline
Summary
Consulting ecologist Steve Zimmerman briefed the board on mapped woodland types in Riverwoods, the village's 10‑year stewardship plan, a cost‑share program that averages roughly $55,000 per year in resident reimbursements, and signs of oak decline tied to wet springs and other stresses.
Consulting ecologist Steve Zimmerman presented a wide-ranging update March 4 on Riverwoods's woodlands, the village's woodland/tree ordinance, the 10‑year woodland stewardship plan and an ecological cost‑share program that reimburses residents for restoration projects.
Zimmerman reviewed a village map that divides Riverwoods into several woodland communities — floodplain, mesic, dry‑mesic and savanna — and highlighted "northern flatwoods," a wet woodland dominated by swamp white oak that he described as a globally threatened ecosystem found throughout the village. He said the village prepared parcel maps so residents and staff can identify regulated woodland areas; the woodland protection ordinance limits removal in mapped woodland areas to 20% without mitigation or permit.
The village adopted a combined tree and woodland protection ordinance in 2018 and a 10‑year Woodland Stewardship Plan that began the same year. Zimmerman said village‑owned lots account for about 35 acres that have been actively managed under the stewardship plan; last year was year six and this year is year seven. Management work includes buckthorn and invasive removal, controlled burns and replanting. "My company is implementing that plan for the village," he said, describing annual contracts for the stewardship work.
Zimmerman described the ecological cost‑share program that offers residents consultations (a $75 site visit) and cost‑sharing for seven program types (invasive shrub removal, native tree planting, native seeding and others). He estimated the village reimburses residents about $55,000 per year on average and said the most‑used program is invasive shrub removal (buckthorn). He said trustees can get maps of individual parcels at Village Hall.
Zimmerman also reported on a pronounced pattern of oak decline in recent years. He described "oak decline syndrome" distinct from oak wilt: three unusually wet springs (2018–2020) promoted root rot in some oaks, followed by secondary pests such as chestnut borer and canopy dieback. Swamp white oak, the dominant oak in many village woodlands, tolerates both wet and dry conditions and is faring better than some upland oak species, he said.
Ending: Zimmerman recommended continued stewardship, targeted planting of species tolerant of changed hydrology in some village parcels and expanded resident participation in cost‑share programs. Trustees asked for an estimate of work and cost for a specific village parcel and discussed expanding outreach to homeowners.
