Lake County Conservation@Home Certification Criteria - Up to One Acre

100 points earns certification

Earn 50 points with these 5 required items:
One shrub or tree native to northeastern Illinois 5
A simple map of the property has been sketched showing the path of rain water flow. (We can help!) 10
Lawn chemicals are minimal or nonexistent 10
The invasive species listed collectively cover less than 5% of the property 10
Plants native to northeastern Illinois make up at least 5% of the landscape 15

 

Choose from the following for your remaining 50 points:

Native Plants
Each native shrub beyond original 2
Each native tree beyond original 5
Landscape supports at least 15 species of native perennials, shrubs and/or trees 10
Landscape supports at least 30 species of native perennials, shrubs and/or trees (yes, you still get 10 pts for above item!) 10
Each additional 10% of the landscape in native plants, beyond the required 5% 20

 

Lawn Care
Watering is only for new plantings that are being established or from collected rainwater 5
Lawn is mowed three inches tall and grass clippings are left in place 5
Electric, propane or reel mower is used 10
Lawn has been aerated and top-dressed with compost or compost tea in past year 15
Lawn contains buffalo grass or other low-mow species 15
Lawn takes up less than 50% of the available landscaping 15

 

Soil

In addition to above items, the following practices support soil health
A soil test has been conducted 5
Composting takes place 10
Autumn leaves remain on the property; are not burned or bagged 10
Plantings protect lake, pond or stream shoreline 10
A soil erosion problem has been greatly reduced or eliminated 15

 

Rain Water

In additon to above items, the following practices support clean water
Each rain barrel 5
Each rain garden 10
Each bio-swale 10
Rain-permeable walkway 10
Other than buildings, less than 10% of property is paved with asphalt, concrete or other impermeable materials 10
Roof downspouts are directed to a garden or flat portion of lawn 15
Rain-permeable driveway 20
Green roof 20

 

Wildlife

In addition to above items, the following practices support wildlife habitat
One or more wildlife houses 5
Pond, maintained birdbath or other water feature 5
Brush pile or large dead tree (safe locations only, as ordinances allow) 5
Native plants include at least 10 from the butterfly-friendly plant list (coming soon) 15
Native plants include at least 10 from the bird-friendly plant list (coming soon) 15

 

Family
Created a family-friendly environment that encourages nature observation 15

 

Invasive Plants
A large patch of invasive species has been removed 20

 

Local Food Production
Vegetable or fruit garden 10
Honeybees or chickens 10

 

Nature Champion
You have recruited two or more neighbors for Conservation@Home property consultations 10
You have mentored two or more neighbors on sustainable landscaping practices 10
You have hosted or are scheduled to host a group tour of your property’s eco-features, or helped facilitate a Conservation@Home presentation 10

 

Let’s Talk

We recognize that each property is unique. Tell us about a distinctive practice or feature you feel is noteworthy. Or if you’ve invested a significant amount of resources into a worthwhile project, please let us know. Varies

Certification is valid for five years and renewable through a return visit to verify that conservation practices have been maintained.

 

Plant ID and Control pages linked below are from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 
A Field guide to Terrestrial Invasive Plants in Wisconsin (PDF 6.7MG).

Invasive Plant Species - Lake County's worst of the worst

Invasive Plant Species
Oriental bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus
Asian bush honeysuckle Lonicera maackii, L. morrowii, L. tatarica, & L. x bella
Burning bush Euonymus alatus
Canada thistle Cirsium arvense
Common & glossy buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica & Frangula alnus
Common reed Phragmites australis
Common & cut-leaved teasel Dipsacus fullonum & D. laciniatus
Crown vetch Securigera varia
Field & Japanese hedge parsley Torilis arvensis & T. japonica
Flowering rush Butomus umbellatus
Garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata
Japanese barberry Berberis thunbergii
Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica
Narrow-leaved & hybrid cattail Typha angustifolia & T. x glauca
Moneywort Lysimachia nummularia
Multiflora rose Rosa multiflora
Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria
Reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea
White & yellow sweetclover Melilotus alba & M. officinalis
Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus

Aquatic Invasives
Brazilian elodea Egeria densa
Curly-leaf pondweed Potamogeton crispus
Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum
Water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes
Water lettuce Pistia stratiotes