Our Programs

Summer is here!

Workdays in Lake Zurich🌿

Join us throughout the month to help restore our local woodlands! We’ll be removing invasive plants like Garlic Mustard and Dame’s Rocket—easy to pull and a great way to support native habitats. No experience needed—just bring gardening gloves, a water bottle, and clothes that can get dirty. Snacks provided!

📍 Locations:

  • Kuechmann Arboretum

  • Oak Ridge Marsh - 550 Lions Dr., Lake Zurich

📅 Dates:

  • June 8th (9:30-11:00 am) - Oak Ridge Marsh

  • More to be announced soon!

🔗 RSVP: info@ancientoaksfoundation.org

All ages welcome—see volunteer details for youth participation. Help us keep our green spaces healthy! 🌱

Buckthorn Bounty

We need you! We’re paying citizens* to help protect the local ecosystem by removing the invasive species Buckthorn (rhamnus cathartica) from their private properties.

*At this time we are only accepting applications from residents within the 60047. Sign up is free!

Save the Monarchs

The monarch butterfly population has declined by 90% in the last decade, mainly due to the loss of milkweed habitat and pesticide use. The Save the Monarch program aims to reverse this by empowering people to help restore monarch habitats in their own backyards. The Ancient Oaks Foundation is leading this effort in Ela Township, with several butterfly-friendly gardens already established. To help, we are offering free milkweed seeds (while supplies last), as these plants are vital for monarch reproduction. Contact us to receive your free packet and help support monarchs.

Birdbox Sponsorship

AOF maintains 7 bird nesting boxes around the Ela Township area. Become a birdbox sponsor today for $75 annually.

  • Plaque on the bird box displaying your family or company name (Sponsored By/In Memory of)

    Recognition on AOF website for one year

    Recognition in email and social media communications

    Periodic snapshots of your sponsored bird box activity

    Nesting locations for Eastern Bluebird and other birds

  • Annual maintenance needs

    Opportunities to build more bird boxes

    Funding for additional/other habitat structures and nature activities

Environmental Scholarship

About

Congratulations to our 2025 Environmental Scholarship award winner Roshni Rangan!

Roshni recently graduated from Lake Zurich High School and plans to attend Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi this fall - majoring in Conservation and Ecology Biology.

Good luck and keep up the great work!