Menard County Trails & Greenways

Ways to Discovery!

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    • Volunteer Habitat Restoration Project at Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site
    • Earth Day Celebration
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    • Historic Wayside Park
    • More….
  • MCTG Blog
  • Ways to Discovery!
    • Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site Hiking Trails
    • Historic Wayside Park
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    • Starhill Forest Arboretum
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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, Events, Nature

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…

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April 21, 2020
Announcement, Events, Nature, New Salem Habitat Restoration Project, Presentation

Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

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,…

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February 14, 2023
Announcement, Kayak/Canoe

MCTG Comments on State Water Plan

Last month we posted Public Access to Illinois Waterways, that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources was working on the development of a revised State Water Plan, and announced the…

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July 1, 2021
  • Announcement,  Events,  Native plants,  Native Seed Sowing,  Presentation

    Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop

    December 19, 2023 /

    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…

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    MCTG-Admin

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    kayaking on sangamon river

    MCTG Comments on State Water Plan

    July 1, 2021

    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023

    Grist Mill on the Sangamon prints available online

    December 1, 2020
  • Announcement,  Native plants,  Native Seed Sowing,  Nature,  Pollinator Plants

    Plant pollinator habitat at home

    December 8, 2023 /

    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…

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    MCTG-Admin

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

    August 16, 2020

    Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop

    December 19, 2023

    Earth Day 2020–50 Years of Celebrating the Planet

    March 31, 2020
  • Invasive Species,  Native plants,  Nature,  New Salem Habitat Restoration Project

    Scary Invasive Plants in Your Landscape

    October 31, 2023 /

    Scarier than goblins, witches and ghosts are all the invasive plants we have planted in our yards and gardens! This Halloween we bring you a post about the horrors of invasive plants in your landscape. Some of our Menard County Trails & Greenways members have already been hard at work on the restoration efforts at New Salem in recent weeks. With the arrival of cooler temperatures, we’ll be scheduling volunteer work days soon! Be watching our Facebook page or your email if you’re an MCTG member for those dates. If you’d like to contribute to our forest restoration efforts at New Salem, but you can’t make it to our work…

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    MCTG-Admin
  • Events,  Kayak/Canoe,  Water

    2023 Annual Fall Float

    October 9, 2023 /

    It was a beautiful day for a float on the Sangamon River! This past Saturday, Menard County Trails & Greenways (MCTG) hosted its Annual Sangamon River Fall Float from Gudgel Bridge to New Salem. Approximately 30 paddlers launched their canoes and kayaks in the afternoon and wound their way down five miles of river, taking in blue skies, crisp air, the beginnings of changing leaves, and even a bald eagle! The river was a little low, but we managed to navigate around those really low spots. Immediately following the paddle, everyone enjoyed a toasty campfire complete with hotdogs and s’mores. The float would not have been possible without the help…

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    MCTG-Admin

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    Sip n’ Sow Workshop

    November 18, 2022

    Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop

    December 19, 2023

    Earth Day!

    April 21, 2020
  • 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…

    Read More
    MCTGuser

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    Trash Taskforce: Good Clean Fun

    March 28, 2022

    Earth Day!

    April 21, 2020

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

    August 16, 2020
  • 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!  

    Read More
    MCTGuser

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    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023

    Invasive Species at New Salem State Historic Site

    November 30, 2021

    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.

    Read More
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  • 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    

    Read More
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  • 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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    More sights of spring

    April 11, 2020
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    April 13, 2020
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    Leaves of three, let it be….

    May 28, 2020
  • 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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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

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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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Menard County Trails and Greenways

4 weeks ago

Menard County Trails and Greenways
About 45 people attended the June Ways to Discovery Chautauqua today! Mark your calendars now for the August 3rd Chautauqua! ... See MoreSee Less

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Menard County Trails and Greenways

4 weeks ago

Menard County Trails and Greenways
Tomorrow, June 1st, 1 PM to 3 PM, at the Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site Visitors Center auditorium, Dr. Michael Wiant will present a program titled Exploring Menard County Trails: Ancient, Historical, Present and Futuristic. Following the presentation, fan favorite, Ben Bedford, will delight the audience with his original tunes.Come early and grab a bite to eat at Railsplitter Gifts and Eatery before the program!! They have a great menu as well as hand-dipped ice cream!! ... See MoreSee Less

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