McHenry County DOT wins Illinois award for converting roadside land to pollinator habitat

McHenry County Division of Transportation staff told the committee that an approximately two-acre conversion of vacant land near Randall Road into pollinator habitat was selected as Illinois's winner in a Build-a-Better-Mousetrap competition administered through the Federal Highway Administration and IDOT. A presenter said the judges highlighted the project's combination of reduced maintenance cost, environmental stewardship and community engagement and that the county's submission will be featured in an LTAP newsletter and advance to the national competition.

"We were selected as the overall winner for Illinois," a staff member said, and staff said a ComEd grant paid for the planting and an associated five-year maintenance contract. Committee members were told the contract term has ended and staff will either manage ongoing maintenance in-house or seek renewal of the maintenance contract. The presentation noted that the conversion reduces routine mowing (staff estimated the site previously required about 28 cuts per year) and provides educational and wildlife benefits that were visible during a recent site visit.