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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    • Historic Wayside Park
    • More….
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  • Ways to Discovery!
    • Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site Hiking Trails
    • Historic Wayside Park
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  • 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,  Events,  Nature

    Earth Day!

    April 21, 2020 /

    Tomorrow, April 22, 2020, is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day!  Here in Menard County we’ll be celebrating virtually this year.  Please share pics or posts of how you celebrate the day!    

    Read More
    MCTGuser

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    Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop

    December 19, 2023
    kayaking on sangamon river

    MCTG Comments on State Water Plan

    July 1, 2021

    Grist Mill on the Sangamon prints available online

    December 1, 2020
  • Nature's Best Hope
    Native plants,  Nature

    Stay in Place in Your Yard and Garden

    April 13, 2020 /

    Two weeks ago we suggested several Earth Day stay-in-place activities you can do while observing physical distancing. Last week we covered the first suggestion on the list, to plant something– flowers, veggies or a tree, with the post  If something is not eating your plants, then your garden is not part of the ecosystem!  In that post, Alana explained how important it is to plant native species that support the pollinators and other critters that form the balance of nature we all depend on. On that note, the Native Plant Conservation Campaign has made available Douglas Tallamy’s video presentation of his latest book, Nature’s Best Hope. Tallamy is a leader…

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    MCTGuser

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    Sip n’ Sow Workshop

    November 18, 2022

    Plant pollinator habitat at home

    December 8, 2023

    Scary Invasive Plants in Your Landscape

    October 31, 2023
  • Celadine wood poppy
    Native plants,  Nature

    More sights of spring

    April 11, 2020 /

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    MCTGuser

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    Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop

    December 19, 2023
    poison ivy

    Leaves of three, let it be….

    May 28, 2020
    kayaking at panther creek

    Exploring Menard County (and a little beyond….)

    May 14, 2020
  • Native plants,  Nature

    If something is not eating your plants, then your garden is not part of the ecosystem!

    April 7, 2020 /

    While perusing Pinterest a while ago, I came across this great sign: For a long time, the ideal garden plants were ones that were “pest resistant.” That often meant plants that were not native to our region, plants that had not evolved with our native insects and were less palatable to them. In recent years, concerns about plummeting insect populations and overall loss of biodiversity has led to a new garden ethic, a movement to use our gardens to support wildlife rather than repel it. Planting native plants is a very important part of this strategy and something I hope you will consider!

    Read More
    MCTGuser

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    Sip n’ Sow Workshop

    November 18, 2022
    poison ivy

    Leaves of three, let it be….

    May 28, 2020

    Plant pollinator habitat at home

    December 8, 2023
  • Bicycling,  Ways to Discovery!

    Bike Menard County

    April 4, 2020 /

    Wondering where to ride in Menard County? There are miles and miles of country roads in Menard County where automobile traffic is low, and if you’re cautious, can be safe to ride. If hills have discouraged you from riding, there are some relatively flat country roads and smaller hills that are perfect for training rides in Menard County. Below are couple routes that begin at the PORTA High School parking lot. This route goes past Oakland Cemetery and around Lake Petersburg to New Salem State Historic Site. This route goes through Atterberry and uses some lightly travelled, relatively flat country roads to loop back towards the Menard County Fairgrounds. Here’s…

    Read More
    MCTGuser

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    kayaking at panther creek

    Exploring Menard County (and a little beyond….)

    May 14, 2020
  • Announcement,  Nature

    Earth Day 2020–50 Years of Celebrating the Planet

    March 31, 2020 /

    Menard County Trails & Greenways plans to honor the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, albeit a little differently than we had planned. While we won’t be able to physically gather as friends and neighbors to help clean up Menard County, we can come together in the same spirit, do some good work around (or even inside!) our homes, and share our efforts virtually. Public health experts and government leaders are encouraging us to safely get outdoors, underscoring more than ever the importance of our natural world to our health and well-being.  Let’s take a moment, however big or small, to return the favor. We’ve started a list…

    Read More
    MCTGuser

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    Plant pollinator habitat at home

    December 8, 2023

    Trash Taskforce: Good Clean Fun

    March 28, 2022

    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023
  • Pseudacris_feriarum-chorus frog
    Nature

    Sounds of Spring in Menard County

    March 29, 2020 /

    Upland chorus frogs (Pseudacris feriarum) are a familiar sound in spring in Illinois. Heard now near woodland ponds such as in the video here, they can even be heard in roadside ditches.  The occasional leopard frog can be heard among the chorus frogs, and soon we should be hearing the sweet melodic trill of the American toad.

    Read More
    MCTGuser

    You May Also Like

    Earth Day 2020–50 Years of Celebrating the Planet

    March 31, 2020

    Plant pollinator habitat at home

    December 8, 2023
    kayaking at panther creek

    Exploring Menard County (and a little beyond….)

    May 14, 2020
  • Nature

    Signs of Spring

    March 24, 2020 /

    During this time of social distancing and sheltering in place, those of us who love exploring the out of doors and nature are the lucky ones. Spring is happening and every day brings new changes. Migrating songbirds are starting to arrive from the south, many trees are starting to show signs of first blooms and buds, and native wildflower foliage is pushing through the leaf litter. What are you noticing?

    Read More
    MCTGuser

    You May Also Like

    Nature's Best Hope

    Stay in Place in Your Yard and Garden

    April 13, 2020

    Plant pollinator habitat at home

    December 8, 2023

    Scary Invasive Plants in Your Landscape

    October 31, 2023
  • Announcement

    MCTG Website Takes Flight

    March 23, 2020 /

    Please visit the new Menard County Trails & Greenways website! (Click on link below). The site features a Calendar, where MCTG events and related activities are posted; Ways to Discovery, where we’ve started to describe “trails & greenways” to explore; and MCTG Blog, where we will post news, information, photos, and other items of interest to outdoor enthusiasts.

    Read More
    MCTGuser

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    Earth Day!

    April 21, 2020

    MCTG provides public comment on City of Springfield’s amended Supplemental Water Supply Project

    August 5, 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

2 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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