Oswego Receives Grant For Pollinator Conservation Project

OSWEGO, IL — Oswego is one of 23 recipients of ComEd and Openlands' Green Region Grant program, officials announced. The $10,000 grant will go toward the Washington and Van Buren Street Pollinator Conservation Project.

The goal of the conservation project is to add new soil, mulch, bug hotels, native flowers and trees to village-owned land in order to create a safe habitat for pollinator species, officials said.

The purpose of the Green Region Grant program is to support natural habitats and other green-space projects, including those that focus on enhancing pollinator habitats and protecting butterflies and bees, according to ComEd representatives.

In its 10 years of operation, the Green Region Grant program has awarded more than $1.9 million to communities and organizations in northern Illinois. This year, individual one-time grants of up to $10,000 — and totaling $200,000 across the board — were awarded to 23 organizations.

In the past, the program has funded the development of more than 82,000 feet of ADA-accessible trails, planted more than 38,000 trees and improved more than 1,400 acres of land, according to ComEd and Openlands, a nonprofit conservation organization.

"ComEd has a long history of supporting organizations and communities in improving climate resiliency and protecting pollinators and green spaces in Illinois," Gil Quiniones, CEO of ComEd, said in a statement. "Partnering with Openlands for the last 10 years has helped fuel community-driven sustainability projects that enhance parks, protect vulnerable habitats and improve quality of life throughout our region. We are proud to be surrounded by communities and partners who are committed to cultivating a greener future for Illinois."