Children and Elders Forest
Founded and growing since 2005
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A registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
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About the Groves
Bur Oak Grove
Begun in 2009, Bur Oak Grove takes its name from and stands next to a remnant historic grove that contains several ancient bur oak trees. Bur Oak is within the city limits of Bloomington at the junction of Kickapoo Creek and Ireland Grove Road about a mile east of Towanda-Barnes Road. Gary Clark is the steward for Bur Oak Grove.
Cardinal Grove
Dating from 2009, Cardinal Grove is located at Glenn School, north of the school building along Sugar Creek, in Normal. Mike Thomas is the steward of Cardinal Grove.
Eagle Grove
Eagle Grove at Maxwell Park in Normal includes over 155 trees of more than 30 species. Planting occurred between 2006 and 2008; and it resumed in 2017, a practice that continues to the present. Eagle is adjacent to Turtle Grove. Mike Sublett is the steward for Eagle Grove.
Golden Grove
In Bloomington, Golden Grove dates from 2008 to 2009 (61 trees) and 2013 to 2016 (24 trees). Golden Grove I is between Bloomington Junior High and Bloomington High School, Golden Grove II stands along Locust Street near the high school, and Golden Grove III lies south of the junior high and was planted with participation of Friends Forever students from Israel. Gary Clark is the steward for Golden Grove.
Prairie Grove
Prairie Grove at the Illinois State University Horticulture Center, beside Raab Road in Normal, includes more than 40 trees and shrubs. Planting began in this grove in 2008. It reopened to sponsors for one year, 2019. Reecia Orzeck is the steward for Prairie Grove.
Songbird Grove
Songbird Grove launched in 2010 and remains available as a tree sponsorship site. Northwest of Normal in Dry Grove Township, Songbird is part of the Rhymer Nature Preserve and adjacent to the relocated Windrow Grove. Hubert Morales is the steward for Songbird Grove.
Turtle Grove
Planted in 2005, Turtle Grove includes 95 trees of 20 species. Adjacent to Eagle Grove, Turtle is located at Maxwell Park in Normal and was the first of the nine CEF groves. Mike Sublett is the steward for Turtle Grove.
Windrow Grove
Originally planted between 2006
and 2008 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, Windrow Grove since 2013
has stood at the Rhymer Nature Preserve, northwest of Normal, in Dry Grove Township. Its neighbor is Songbird Grove. Hubert Morales is the steward for Windrow Grove.
Winter Hill Grove
Winter Hill Grove at Ewing Park III in Bloomington came to be between 2006 and 2008. It includes more than 100 trees. Shamelle Grabill is the steward for Winter Hill Grove.
