Menard County Trails & Greenways

Ways to Discovery!

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    • Volunteer Habitat Restoration Project at Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site
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    • More….
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  • Ways to Discovery!
    • Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site Hiking Trails
    • Historic Wayside Park
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  • Trails & Greenways Merchandise
  • Ways to Discovery Chautauqua Series
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Newsletters & Annual Reports
    • Contact
  • Our Projects & Activities
    • Volunteer Habitat Restoration Project at Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site
    • Earth Day Celebration
    • Sangamon River Sweeps
    • Historic Wayside Park
    • More….
  • MCTG Blog
  • Ways to Discovery!
    • Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site Hiking Trails
    • Historic Wayside Park
    • J.E. Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area
    • Sangamon River
    • Sangamon Valley Trail – Cantrall Access
    • Starhill Forest Arboretum
    • Biking Menard County
  • Join / Renew
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Calendar
  • Photo Galleries
  • Video Vignettes
  • Trails & Greenways Merchandise
  • Ways to Discovery Chautauqua Series
  • Announcement,  Community Service

    Riverfront Development

    May 23, 2023 /

    The Sangamon River shares a place in Petersburg’s rich history since the town was formed nearly 200 years ago. Its waters led to the arrival of a young Abraham Lincoln who later surveyed land that is now Petersburg. The river and the tracks along it shuttled 100,000 visitors in the 10 day mega-event each year known as Chautauqua on a site just a mile south of town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Sangamon River was the subject of popular writings of Edgar Lee Masters as he described the beloved Sangamon River and the people who called the area home. Native Americans utilized the river for food, water…

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    Earth Day!

    April 21, 2020

    Earth Day 2020–50 Years of Celebrating the Planet

    March 31, 2020

    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023
  • New Salem Habitat Restoration Project

    Prescribed Fire — New Salem Habitat Restoration Project

    May 17, 2023 /

    On April 10th the Illinois Department of Natural Resources conducted a prescribed fire on approximately 20 acres within the MCTG New Salem Habitat Restoration project area. Project supervisor, Ray Geroff, was the burn boss, with help from IDNR staff and MCTG project volunteers. Even though we had removed leaves (fuel) from the base of dead and dying trees, because of the low humid that day several large, dead trees caught fire and had to be cut down. Our hats off to the skill and hard work that was required to accomplish that task!  

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    MCTGuser

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    Invasive Species at New Salem State Historic Site

    November 30, 2021

    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023

    Scary Invasive Plants in Your Landscape

    October 31, 2023
  • Community Service,  Native plants,  Nature,  New Salem Habitat Restoration Project,  Volunteering

    Garlic Mustard Pulls at New Salem

    May 17, 2023 /

    Why do we pull garlic mustard? Each garlic mustard plant grows pods called siliques and each plant produces on average 22 siliques, each silique containing as many as 28 seeds. That is over 600 seeds on an average per plant, with some particularly robust plants producing almost 8,000 seeds. That’s why it is so important to remove the plant before it sets seed.

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    MCTGuser

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    Trash Taskforce: Good Clean Fun

    March 28, 2022
  • Community Service,  Nature,  New Salem Habitat Restoration Project,  Volunteering

    New Salem Habitat Restoration Project Featured in Outdoor Illinois Journal

    May 3, 2023 /

    Outdoor Illinois Journal, the Department of Natural Resource’s online magazine, has published a piece about Trails & Greenways’ New Salem Habitat Restoration Project. Check it out here!  More Project Information Our Projects & Activities    

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    MCTGuser

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    Trash Taskforce: Good Clean Fun

    March 28, 2022
  • Native plants,  Native Seed Sowing

    Winter Seed Sowing Check In

    May 1, 2023 /

    Time to check in with our winter sowers! In the past few weeks, we’ve seen a lot of seedling germination. There is some variation, so it may have taken some containers a long time to show anything, but by now they should all have germinated and growing! Removing the Tops and Watering The weather has been pretty erratic this month, with some very warm days and some very cold nights. Up to this point, the top of the milk jug or container lid has helped to retain moisture and protect seedlings from temperature extremes and wind. Now that the temperatures have turned quite warm some days, it is important to…

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    MCTGuser

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    kayaking at panther creek

    Exploring Menard County (and a little beyond….)

    May 14, 2020

    Invasive Species at New Salem State Historic Site

    November 30, 2021

    Plant pollinator habitat at home

    December 8, 2023
  • Community Service,  Earth Day,  Events,  Volunteering

    Petersburg Cleans up on Earth Day

    April 24, 2023 /

    Despite the cold and brief snow/sleet shower, 22 adults and 15 youth showed up this past Saturday morning, April 22,  to celebrate Earth Day and clean up around our town. Menard County Trails & Greenways (MCTG) hosted the event at Hurie Park.

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    MCTGuser

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    Trash Taskforce: Good Clean Fun

    March 28, 2022
  • History,  Presentation

    Life and Times of Sangamon River Valley Part 2

    April 4, 2023 /

    In Part 2 we learn about the geological history of the Sangamon that runs through Central Illinois, from millions of years ago to present time. (Part 1 can be viewed here.) History of Sangamon River Valley Part 2 with Michael Wiant. from Treetop Productions on Vimeo

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    MCTGuser

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    What is the meaning of Sangamon?

    February 22, 2021
    Shickshack Hill

    Native American Trails

    February 14, 2021
  • New Salem Habitat Restoration Project,  Presentation,  Video

    Battling Invasive Plant Species Presentation Video

    March 13, 2023 /

    For those who missed Chris Evans and Ray Geroff at Broadgauge on February 22, or simply want to review all the great information that was shared, here is the video recording of Battling Invasive Plant Species.

    Read More
    MCTGuser

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    Invasive Species at New Salem State Historic Site

    November 30, 2021

    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023

    Scary Invasive Plants in Your Landscape

    October 31, 2023
  • History,  Presentation

    Life and Times of the Sangamon River

    March 12, 2023 /

    River valleys have a great many stories to tell. History is revealed in riverbanks all over the world. It is written in sediment, fossils, and artifacts. In some places, rivers expose ancient land and waterscapes created long before the river. Today, many rivers are refuges, tiny bits of what once was a far-reaching ecosystem. Life at the equator, colossal glaciers and the birth of rivers, megafauna, the arrival of people, earthquakes, a profound transformation of the landscape, but no dinosaurs, all these stories and more are told by the Sangamon River as it meanders its way across central Illinois. This video, History of the Sangamon River Valley by Michael Wiant,…

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    MCTGuser

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    Shickshack Hill

    Native American Trails

    February 14, 2021

    What is the meaning of Sangamon?

    February 22, 2021
  • Announcement,  Events,  Nature,  New Salem Habitat Restoration Project,  Presentation

    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023 /

    Experts to discuss invasive plant crisis–why it’s important and what can be done! Menard County Trails & Greenways invites the public to an engaging presentation about invasive plants—what they are, why they are a serious problem and what can be done about them—February 22, 2023, at Broadgauge in Petersburg at 7 p.m.

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    MCTGuser

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    2020 Census! It’s Our future. Don’t leave it blank!

    August 16, 2020
    kayaking on sangamon river

    MCTG Comments on State Water Plan

    July 1, 2021

    Trash Taskforce: Good Clean Fun

    March 28, 2022
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Menard County Trails and Greenways
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Menard County Trails and Greenways

Menard County Trails and Greenways

Ways to Discovery! Enriched lives through a network of land and water trails that connect people to natural and cultural resources and encourages exploration and conservation.

Menard County Trails and Greenways

2 weeks ago

Menard County Trails and Greenways

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Menard County Trails and Greenways

3 weeks ago

Menard County Trails and Greenways
Wayside Prairie is coming along!! Only it's 2nd season and so much is blooming. It does however need some TLC -- we'll be reaching out soon to schedule a day to tackle teasel. Be sure to catch a glimpse next time you're driving by -- northwest corner of Rts. 97 & 123 (Tallula Road). Let us know what you think in the comments. ... See MoreSee Less

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Menard County Trails and Greenways

1 month ago

Menard County Trails and Greenways
Thank you Springfield Area Arts Council for helping us bring our Ways to Discovery Chautauqua series to life! Join us in August for the next event at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site!It's #RegionalArtsPartnerWednesday eve! 🥳🎨Grantee Spotlight: Menard County Trails & GreenwaysEstablished in 1999, the volunteer-run non-profit Menard County Trails & Greenways preserves natural and cultural resources through nature-connective exploration and conservation, combining trail and greenway maintenance and enjoyment with arts access for rural Central Illinois communities. Continuing a project begun in 2024, the non-profit has organized a four-part Chautauqua inspired event series for 2025, titled Ways to Discovery, that explores "the many paths through which we understand and navigate the world". This event series takes place on first Sundays of August through October at the Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site visitor center auditorium in Petersburg from 1-3pm, and combines educational lectures with performances by Illinois-based artists. 🎭 Springfield Area Arts Council is proud to support Menard County Trails & through the Regional Arts Partner re-granting program, made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. Learn more about the Regional Arts Partner Grant at springfieldartsco.org/grants#SpringfieldArts #OurCreativeCapital#artsmatter #CommunityDriven #SpringfieldIL #CommunityArts #SupportLocalArts #CreativityForAll #MenardCountyTrailsandGreenways #MenardCoIL #ArtsMidwest #RuralArts #FolkArt #Chautauqua ... See MoreSee Less

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Menard County Trails and Greenways

1 month ago

Menard County Trails and Greenways
🌼Join a fun and friendly crew tomorrow morning for a pop-up volunteer day in the pollinator gardens on Petersburg's downtown square!We’ll be weeding, trimming, and editing the gardens. Learn about native plants and pollinator-friendly gardening from experienced gardeners. Take home plants we thin out—free for your own garden!Bring your favorite gardening tools (and gloves if you have them). Drop in anytime between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AMNo experience needed—just come ready to dig in and enjoy the beauty of community and nature! 💚🦋 ... See MoreSee Less

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