By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – The state of Illinois announced a plan Sunday to plant more than two million trees across the state over the next year, as part of an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Most of the trees will be planted on state-owned land. They'll include burr oaks, sugar maples, American elms and cottonwoods.
The Illinois Department of Transportation also plans to provide grants to plant trees and grasses along roadways.
Officials say the two million trees will absorb about 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. That's the equivalent of removing 36,000 cars from the state's roads.
Illinois will also create a summer work program for teenagers to protect and enhance the state's natural areas.