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.
Sangamon River Sweep
We had a perfect day yesterday for being on the Sangamon. We hauled two full canoes of trash out. Tires, a TV, lawn chairs, house siding, buckets full of broken glass, cans and bottles, a plastic barrel…..and there’s more out there we didn’t have room for this time. Where does it all come from!?!? The weather was perfect, we saw a couple bald eagles, lots of killdeer, a great blue heron.
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. Continue reading “Mosquito Spray: Collateral Damage to Pollinators and Human Health”
IDNR Volunteer of the Year Award
On August 17, 2024, Menard County Trails & Greenways received an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Volunteer of the Year award for the work we’ve done at the Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site Habitat Restoration Project! Since the spring of 2021 over 50 volunteers have contributed 973 volunteer hours over 128 days cutting & treating extremely dense and often very large honeysuckle bushes; and 195 hours hand pulling 196 garbage bags of garlic mustard. There’s more work to be done!! Let us know if you’d like to join the volunteer crew!
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
Protecting the Earth for our Young Ones
We owe it to future generations to follow the advice Sara gives us all in her drawing. Let’s all pitch in for Petersburg on Saturday, April 27th. Meet at Hurie Park a 9:00 AM to sign-in and pick up supplies (trash bags, gloves, etc).
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.
Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop
Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop
1st & 3rd Boutique & Wine Bar
January 12th from 6:00 to 8:00
1st & 3rd Boutique & Wine Bar has generously donated their event space. Please show your support — come early to shop, get a beverage & maybe a charcuterie board!
Event Limited to 30 Registered Participants — Fill Out Form at Bottom of Page
It’s never too soon to think of spring! Join some adult-only fun at the Sip n’ Sow Workshop! Sip a glass of wine and sow some native flower seeds for your summer garden. Native plants attract pollinators and serve as butterfly host plants, including many species growing on the square in Petersburg.
The evening will kick off with a slide presentation with photos and discussion of some of the species that will be available. Participants will then use the winter sowing technique to plant native species of their choosing. Seeds, soil, tools, and some containers provided. Participants are encouraged to bring additional CLEAN plastic milk jugs if you wish to plant multiple containers.
Alana McKean (Starhill Forest Arboretum), Cindy Andreasen (Illinois Extension Master Gardener), and Terri Treacy (Menard County Trails & Greenways) will be leading the workshop. Bring your questions about gardening with native plants and any native seeds you wish to share!
No fee but donations appreciated! And, please support 1st & 3rd — come early, shop, grab a beverage and even a bite to eat!
Questions? Email Cindy at event@menardcountytrailsandgreenways.org; (Please don’t contact 1st & 3rd — use the email provided!)
For planning purposes registration is required.
Plant pollinator habitat at home
Wanting to add more pollinator habitat at home? Look no further: native plant seed packets are available again in Petersburg! You can find displays at the Petersburg Public Library, 1st and 3rd Boutique, the Talisman, and the Crazy Daisy Gift Shop. This year we are offering 13 colorful species collected from the plantings on Petersburg’s square, Historic Wayside Park and our members’ own gardens and prairies. The packets are free, but we welcome donations that support Menard County Trails & Greenways. The displays will be restocked until we run out!
Wondering how to choose?
Check out blog posts highlighting the available species:
Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Purple Prairie Clover, Golden Alexanders
Small Yellow Wild Indigo, Butterfly Milkweed, Blue Star
Black-eyed Susan, Rattlesnake Master, Purple Coneflower
Swamp Milkweed, Sneezeweed, Aromatic aster
We’ve added one new species to the mix this year: Wild quinine. More on that species soon!
Wondering how to plant them?
Follow the detailed planting instructions on the back of each packet, and check out this blog post with instructions on the winter sowing method. Also– watch for an announcement about upcoming winter sowing workshops where we’ll have these species and many more to share!