In 2013, the Northbrook Park District partnered with the Village of Northbrook opens in new tab to develop the Northbrook Sustainability Plan. The plan calls for reducing energy at Village and District facilities by 20% in 20 years. The Park Board of Commissioners passed a Resolution in 2021 in support of the Village’s Climate Action Plan opens in new tab which calls for a 12% increase in energy efficiency across the community.
Protecting Yourself During Tick Season
In Northbrook, ticks are most active in the Spring from April through June. These parasitic arachnids are most commonly found around wooded areas, tall grass or brush. Infected ticks are known to transmit diseases through their bites. It is best to always check for ticks after being in natural spaces, such as areas located in Wood Oaks Green Park and Techny Prairie Park and Fields.
Sustainability at Heritage Oaks Golf Club opens in new tab
Heritage Oaks Golf Club has retained its designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. Heritage Oaks Golf Club was first designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 2015 and is one of over 900 courses in the world to hold certification from Audubon International.
Prescribed Burns
Northbrook Park District practices ecological prescribed burns as a natural maintenance system. Burning only a section of prairie or natural area each year allows refuge for wildlife habitat. Prescribed burning is a major tool for preserving biological diversity. Planned burns can decrease competition from weeds, reduce the buildup of vegetative fuel, increase plant vigor and support a balance of minerals within the soil.
Portions of the naturalized areas within Techny Prairie Park and Fields and Anetsberger Golf Course are subject to a prescribed burn on 1-2 days between February 27, 2026 and May 15, 2026.
Burn management depends on specific weather conditions, so specific dates will be provided once available. If weather conditions are not within prescription during this time, the burn will be scheduled during the alternate timeframe between November 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026.
2026 Burn Dates & Locations
| Location | Date |
|---|---|
| Anetsberger Golf Course | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Friday, March 27, 2026 |
| Techny Prairie Park and Fields | Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Friday, March 27, 2026 |
This page will be updated with the days and locations of Park District burns as they are planned and occur. For more information on prescribed burns at Village locations, visit northbrook.il.us opens in new tab.
Burning is done on properties with native landscaping to help support the healthy growth of the landscape. Many native Midwestern plants evolved on the prairie where fires would naturally occur. As a result, these native species are by nature resistant to fire and their seeds require the heat from the burns to germinate. Additionally, these burns help remove invasive plant species which did not evolve to withstand the fire while also breaking down old decaying plant matter to add nutrients to the soil. All of this in turn helps support pollinator species which depend on native plants for food and shelter.
No. Prescribed burns are conducted by licensed environmental restoration professionals. These fires are low-intensity and continuously monitored to ensure that the burn is progressing safely. There will be some smoke, and those who are sensitive to it may wish to close their windows during the burns, but no other action is required.
Sustainability News
- Protecting Yourself During Tick Season
In Northbrook, ticks are most active in the Spring from April through June. These parasitic arachnids are most commonly found around wooded areas, tall grass or brush. Infected ticks are known to transmit diseases through their bites. It is… Read more: Protecting Yourself During Tick Season - Northbrook is First Park District in Illinois to Earn Cooperative Sanctuary Program Certification from Audubon InternationalThe Northbrook Park District is the first park district in Illinois whose parks have earned the certification of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, a distinction conferred to organizations that demonstrate environmental achievements and leadership. Techny Prairie Park and Fields and Wood Oaks Green Park met the rigorous standards required for the certification by Audubon International.
- Burr Oak Removed from Village GreenSadly, a burr oak tree had to be removed Tuesday from Village Green Park. Arborists from SavATree Nels Johnson Tree Experts were called to remove the damaged branches, and they determined that the top of the main leader, or tree stem, had a substantial amount of rot and was not structurally sound.
- Northbrook Park District Named Best of the Best in 2022Northbrook Park District was presented with three awards on Friday, October 14, 2022 by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) – 15 Year Commissioner Service, Best Friend of Illinois Parks and Best Green Practices. This annual program provides… Read more: Northbrook Park District Named Best of the Best in 2022
- Northbrook Park District Awarded $690,000 in ComEd Energy Efficiency GrantsNorthbrook Park District is slated to receive $689,967.50 from ComEd to install energy-efficient lighting throughout District facilities and parks. In addition to covering the costs of labor and materials for lighting upgrades, projected energy savings are estimated to be… Read more: Northbrook Park District Awarded $690,000 in ComEd Energy Efficiency Grants
- ComEd Awards Energy Grant to Techny Prairie Activity CenterA nearly $25,000 grant from ComEd will assist the Northbrook Park District in reaching sustainability goals for the new Techny Prairie Activity Center—TPAC. The District’s Parks and Planning Division received $24,812.21 from the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program for the… Read more: ComEd Awards Energy Grant to Techny Prairie Activity Center
- New Northbrook Park District Activity Center Earns Prestigious Net Zero Energy Building Designation$1.78 million grant from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for high sustainability standards to fund energy efficient facility A generous $1.78 million grant to the Northbrook Park District ensures its new Activity Center will achieve Net Zero Energy building… Read more: New Northbrook Park District Activity Center Earns Prestigious Net Zero Energy Building Designation
- Northbrook Park District Breaks Ground on New Activity CenterSetting sights on a future of active play, health and fitness for the community, Northbrook Park District officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, July 10 for the new Activity Center at Techny Prairie Park and Fields. Incorporating the Northbrook… Read more: Northbrook Park District Breaks Ground on New Activity Center
