Wayside Prairie

If you’ve recently passed by the northwest corner of Routes 97 & 123, directly across from Historic Wayside Park, you may have noticed some major changes. Over the past couple of years, invasive species, dead green ash, and other trees have been cleared as part of the first phase of an exciting project—the creation of a small shortgrass prairie.

This site, an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) right-of-way, is located within the 66-mile-wide Route 66 Monarch Flyway, a critical migratory corridor for monarch butterflies. A few years ago, Menard County Trails and Greenways (MCTG) approached IDOT with the idea of converting this area into pollinator habitat. Given IDOT’s commitment to enhancing pollinator environments statewide, they quickly embraced the proposal. IDOT promptly began removing the overgrowth of trees, invasives, and weeds to prepare for the prairie transformation.

Black-eyed susan, bee balm, gray headed coneflower

Last fall, MCTG sourced prairie seed from Mason State Tree Nursery, with generous contributions of additional seed and rice hulls from Pheasants Forever and IDOT. The area was prepared by IDOT, spraying to remove the existing non-native vegetation, and then seed was drilled mid-winter to allow for stratification. The seed mix included over 32 species of native Illinois wildflowers and grasses, some of which are already thriving. Early bloomers like black-eyed Susans are bringing a burst of color to the site, and as time goes on, many more species will emerge, creating a vibrant, diverse shortgrass prairie right here in Menard County.

Invasive teasel amongst the black-eyed susans

The first year of prairie establishment requires careful monitoring and maintenance. The site has been mowed three times this growing season to prevent weeds from going to seed. Fortunately, this mowing doesn’t impact the slow-growing prairie plants, which focus on developing deep root systems in their first year. Although the area was sprayed to eliminate existing vegetation before seeding, weed seeds lingering in the soil continue to sprout. Spot-spraying and manual removal of invasives like teasel, wild parsnip, and thistles will be necessary until the prairie plants become more established and the weed seeds have been eradicated from the seed bank.

Prairie restoration is a lesson in patience. It can be disheartening to see weeds pop up, but there’s also a lot to be excited about in this early stage. Seedlings of swamp milkweed, bundleflower, purple coneflower, beardtongue, golden Alexander, wild quinine, little bluestem, asters, beebalm, and many other native species have already been spotted throughout the site!

If you’d like to support this project, consider collecting seed to donate to increase the diversity of the prairie (contact us for details on desired species) or contribute towards the purchase of additional seed by donating to our Historic Wayside Park & Prairie Fund . Keep an eye out for future volunteer workdays, where we’ll engage in activities like overseeding and invasive species management to help the prairie thrive.

2024 Sangamon River Fall Float

Registration Deadline Extended!! 

Join Menard County Trails & Greenways on October 12, 2024 as we paddle 5 beautiful miles of the Sangamon River from the Gudgel Bridge to the New Salem riverside picnic area/boat ramp.

Take part in this annual event where we join together to enjoy the solitude, beauty and natural history of the Sangamon River as it meanders through rural Menard County. With a hint of fall in the air, the tree-lined river will likely be stunning.  Immediately following the float everyone is invited to socialize around a cozy campfire at New Salem State Historic Site riverside picnic area for a weenie roast (provided with registration).

$30 Registration Fee — includes shuttle, snacks, weenie roast, local geologic features handout, and best of all–comraderie with fellow boaters.

All participants must pre-register! Registration is limited and closes at 5:00 PM October 4, 2023!

Each Participant MUST:

Register online by 5:00 PM October 9, 2024

Sign a Waiver and Release of Liability form (available at sign-in)

Provide your own canoe or kayak and paddles

Provide a PFD(personal flotation device)

Be responsible for delivering your equipment to the launch site at Gudgel Bridge by noon, and completing your registration and sign-in at New Salem before 1:00PM. Shuttle will depart New Salem at 1:00 PM back to the launch site. (Detailed directions will be provided in a confirmation email following online registration.)

Cancellation Policy:

In the event the float must be cancelled due to inclement weather or unsafe river conditions registrants will receive a full refund (minus handling fee).

Cancellation policy for participants: Ticket price (minus handling fee) will be 100% refunded if cancelled prior to 5:00 PM October 9, 2024. Refunds will not be granted after 5:00 PM October 9, 2024.

American Canoe Association

This is an American Canoe Association (ACA)–sanctioned event. Everyone will have the opportunity to join the ACA at the individual membership rate. 

Mosquito Spray: Collateral Damage to Pollinators and Human Health

By Amanda Serra

My sister had a butterfly garden in her backyard for many years. Every summer, hundreds of Monarchs, Swallowtails, American and Painted Lady, Red Admiral, and Viceroy visited her yard to feed, reproduce, lay eggs, undergo metamorphosis, pollinate flowers and repeat the cycle year after year. Unfortunately, about three years ago the butterflies stopped coming.

Not one butterfly for three years.

Finally, my sister gave up and removed her butterfly garden. There didn’t seem to be a point to it anymore.

What is going on?!
I’m a chemistry teacher by day, a microbiologist by education, and a beekeeper by hobby. It didn’t take much investigation to find the answer to this question.

Mosquito sprays.
Pyrethroids and/or its derivatives (bifenthrin, deltamethrin, cypermethrin, and permethrin) are commonly used by mosquito exterminators, but any pesticide can kill butterflies and bees, as well as other beneficial insects. If not killed outright, a bee can carry the residue to the hive where it is incorporated into the wax and honey, causing disruptions in behavior and colony collapse. (Pyrethroids and Nectar Toxins Have Subtle Effects on the Motor Function, Grooming and Wing Fanning Behaviour of Honeybees)

To add insult to injury, pollinators aren’t the only victims of pyrethroid use. ALL pyrethroids are toxic to humans and pets. (Pyrethroid Poisoning;
Pyrethroids: How They Affect Human and Animal Health? Current Research on the Safety of Pyrethroids Used as Insecticides)

The Solution – Mosquito Dunks
There is an easy, inexpensive and non-toxic method to reduce the mosquito population in your yard. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), a common soil and water bacteria, contains toxin-packed spores that kill mosquito, blackfly and fungal gnat larvae. Spores within the bacteria kill the larvae within a day. (X-ray imaging reveals insights into a natural mosquito-killing compound). The toxins are specific for mosquito and blackfly larvae and will not harm beneficial insects, pets or humans if consumed. What you need to know about Bit; Bacterial Toxins Active against Mosquitoes: Mode of Action and Resistance)

Benefits
Inexpensive – Can be purchased at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart and online home and garden supply vendors for $8.50 – 10.00 for a pack of 6 dunks. One small donut-shaped Mosquito Dunk in a bucket of water kills 90 – 100% of mosquito larvae. (Effects of mosquito control using the microbial agent Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems: a systematic review)

Easy homeowner application: treat from approximately April to October
(The best way to kill mosquitoes – instead of fogging; How to set up a mosquito larvae trap)

Place straw/hay in a bucket.

Add water.

Put bucket in a sunny place for two days to ferment.
Then place bucket wherever mosquitoes congregate.

Drop a Mosquito Dunk in the bucket.

Approximately one quarter chunk of a dunk/month for a 5 gallon bucket.

Female mosquito is drawn to fermented mix and lays eggs. Throw in another dunk approximately 30 days later. Stop use when weather cools

We CAN reduce toxic loads in our environment and rebuild the pollinator population by considering effective, non-toxic, and inexpensive alternatives to controlling/killing mosquitoes in several ways.

  • Remove standing/stagnant water around property.
  • Set up mosquito traps: bucket of water with straw in it and Mosquito Dunk.
  • Use Mosquito Dunks in rain barrels, bird baths, water gardens.
  • Plant mosquito repellent plants: Lavender, Marigold, Citronella/(Lemon Grass), Catmint, Rosemary, Basil, Citronella/Scented Geranium, Bee Balm, mint, Floss Flower, Sage, and Allium
  • Encourage local businesses, and fellow citizens to contact their city council to make their community a Bee City. https://beecityusa.org/benefits/

Addendum: Neonicotinoids: just as bad, or even worse than pyrethroids?  https://www.nrdc.org/stories/neonicotinoids-101-effects-humans-and-bees

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/neonicotinoid

Menard County Trails & Greenways Celebrates 20 Years!

Menard County Trails & Greenways celebrated its 20th year as a not-for-profit at the Annual Meeting and Member Party. About 50 people attended the event that took place on July 12th at Hand of Fate Brewery. The evening kicked off with the Annual Meeting, which included the election of board members, a look at the state of the organization’s membership and finances, a look back at the accomplishments over the year and a brief look ahead at some of the upcoming activities we have planned. Following the meeting everyone enjoyed a scrumptious potluck supper, their favorite Hand of Fate brew, visiting with old friends and meeting new friends. 

The FY24 Annual Report can be viewed here.

Enjoy these snapshots from the evening.

Ways to celebrate Pollinator Week (June 17-23, 2024)!

  • Volunteer! Join MCTG members working at Wayside Park or on the square in Petersburg this week—or later this summer. We’ll be weeding, trimming, planting, watering, mulching, and eventually collecting seeds. If you’re interested in adopting a bed or a corner on the square, we can show you the ropes!
  • Scout blooming plants now for later seed collection (see a blog on this subject soon!)
  • Be a citizen scientist! Download the iNaturalist app and participate in the Illinois Monarch Project’s Bioblitz to document local insect activity.
  • Create pollinator habitat at home! While the heat makes planting a little challenging this week, with ample water during establishment, natives will tough it out! Consider planting native species from local growers like 3B Natives. Their plants can be ordered online or purchased at Seaney’s. The Mason State Nursery is another great option!

From Pollinator Partnership:

Pollinator Week 2024 is a celebration of the vital role that pollinators play in our ecosystems, economies, and agriculture. Under the inspiring theme “Vision 2040: Thriving ecosystems, economies, and agriculture,” this year’s event urges us to envision a future where pollinators not only survive but thrive. These essential creatures, including bees, butterflies, moths, bats, beetles, and hummingbirds, are the unsung heroes behind the food we enjoy and the beauty that surrounds us. As we reflect on the interconnectedness of our world, let’s unite in a collective effort to protect and preserve these crucial pollinators. By understanding the impact of our actions on their habitats and embracing sustainable practices, we can pave the way for a flourishing future. Join us in celebrating Pollinator Week 2024, and let’s cultivate a world where both nature and humanity thrive in harmony. Explore our resources, learn about pollinator-friendly initiatives, and be inspired to contribute to the vision of a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.

https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator-week

 

Annual Meeting + Membership Appreciation Party

Enjoy an evening with longtime friends and new friends to reminisce, swap stories, plan future adventures…..
The evening will include an annual report, new board member election and socializing. Everyone Welcome! Bring a friend!
Food provided — Cash bar
Chances to win door prizes!!
For planning purposes, please RSVP no later than July 2 by EOB to Libby at lshawgo@gmail.com.

Spring Cleaning at Historic Wayside Park–See new date!

Volunteers are needed this coming Wednesday, March 27th, to clean and weed the pollinator plant bed around the council circle. Work will begin at 1:00 PM.

No experience necessary! Great opportunity to learn about native prairie plants, and maybe even meet new friends!

Bring gardening tools (rakes, pruners, weeders, etc, if you have them) and gloves. Drinking water, sunscreen and hat recommended. 

Planting Party for Wee Ones

Trails & Greenway is a proud sponsor of this family event organized by Birth to Five Illinois: Region 51 to introduce little ones to gardening with hands on experience of planting vegetable and native pollinator plant seeds. They will also learn about the importance of pollinators for our food supply.  See the image below for event details and list of sponsors. If you’re interested in helping out let us know.

Earth Day in Petersburg

Menard County Trails & Greenways Community Cleanup!

It’s that time of the year when we come together as a community to celebrate Earth Day in Petersburg. This year, the event will take place  on Saturday, April 27th. Check in a Hurie Park at 9:00 AM.

We’ll be focusing on cleaning up litter in various locations around town, including spots that are kid-friendly, so bring the whole family along for some community bonding and environmental stewardship!

Your participation is invaluable in making Petersburg a cleaner and more enjoyable place for everyone. Let’s work together to make a positive impact on our community!

To ensure we have enough supplies for everyone, please RSVP using the form below:

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Trash bags and disposable gloves will be available at Hurie Park. Please wear sturdy close-toed shoes/boots, dress for the weather and bring drinking water.
Please direct questions to menardctg@gmail.com