Earth Day!

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!

earth day 2019
Last year Menard County Trails & Greenways teamed up with community members and Clean up with Cops! to clean up litter in Hurie Park.

 

 

Stay in Place in Your Yard and Garden

Nature's Best Hope

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 in advancing our understanding of how individual homeowners can help local wildlife, support vital ecosystem services such a water purification, and fight climate change all by gardening with beautiful local natives!  

We hope the video gives you inspiration as you plan your post-Covid-19 garden and landscaping projects! Enjoy! And, share! 

Nature’s Best Hope with Doug Tallamy 3-3-2020 from NCTV 79 on Vimeo.

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

Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis)

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! Continue reading “If something is not eating your plants, then your garden is not part of the ecosystem!”

Bike Menard County

During this time of uncertainty and crisis, many of us are feeling anxious and maybe a bit stir crazy. Most of us are spending way more time than usual watching television or pursuing other sedentary activities. Gyms are closed, yoga studios have gone dark, and not everyone has a dog to take on endless walks.

Fear not. Cycling is the cure for what ails you. There is no greater feeling of freedom than riding a bicycle down a country road on a warm, sunny day. Fortunately, solo biking is not only still allowed but encouraged. Those who are quarantined together can bike together as well. Bike shops are considered essential services and are still open in Illinois. Continue reading “Bike Menard County”

Earth Day 2020–50 Years of Celebrating the Planet

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 of ideas for honoring Earth Day that are “stay-at-home” friendly. Continue reading “Earth Day 2020–50 Years of Celebrating the Planet”

Sounds of Spring in Menard County

Pseudacris_feriarum-chorus frog

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.

Signs of Spring

Dicentra cucullaria

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?

Phlox divaricata
Phlox divaricata, the wild blue phlox, woodland phlox, or wild sweet William.
Stylophorum diphyllum
Stylophorum diphyllum, commonly called the celandine-poppy or woods-poppy.
Mertensia virginica
Mertensia virginica, common name Virginia bluebells.

MCTG Website Takes Flight

feather

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.