Menard County Trails & Greenways
Ways to Discovery!
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.
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!)
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 of many, including: Gudgel Bridge property owner, MCTG volunteers, the PORTA school district (who kindly provided our shuttle bus), our bus driver Tiffany, the New Salem State Historic Site staff for cleaning up the shelter before our event, and the American Canoe Association. A special thank you to Dave Hedrick for setting up the campfire and making the roasting sticks!
We hope everyone had a great time! See you next year!
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. Continue reading “Petersburg Cleans up on Earth Day”
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. Continue reading “Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation”
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!
Cash bar, no fee but donations appreciated!
Questions? Email Cindy at event@menardcountytrailsandgreenways.org; (Please don’t contact 1st & 3rd — use the email provided!)
Tired of seeing litter — cans, bottles, fast food wrappers, and more — strewn along our river front, in our parks, and along our streets and ditches?
If everyone pitches in we can make a big difference in the appearance of our beautiful little city and health of our environment.
This year Menard County Trails & Greenways is able to offer free reusable shopping totes and DQ cones to Earth Day participants because of the very generous donations of our fantastic sponsors. Please help us let them know how much they are appreciated for supporting this important cause!
Alliance Community Bank
Blane Real Estate: Judy and Peter Olesen–217-632-7521
Broadgauge
CAPCIL
County Market
Dairy Queen
Damon Priddy State Farm Springfield
Edgar Lee Masters Memorial Museum
Edward Jones-Financial Advisor: Julie Wankel
Hello Sunshine Makery & Marketplace LLC
Hand of Fate Brewery
HR Full Circle
Marbold Farmstead
Menard Animal Protection
Menard County Rotary Club
Menard County Tourism
Ozella Construction, Inc.
Petefish Skiles & Co.
Petersburg Jaycees
Petersburg Pharmacy
Petersburg Veterans Memorial Park
PORTA Bluejays
R&H Farm and Home
RiverBank Lodge
Rudin Printing Company
The Crazy Daisy
Three Pines Petersburg
Wear a mask within 6 feet
Sanitize & wash hands
Gloves available
menardctg@gmail.com
Download (and share) the flyer here!
Check back here or Facebook for updates.
Rain Date: In case of rain, we’ll reschedule.
The Annual Sangamon River Fall Float was a little different this year. Due to Covid concerns the trip was completely DIY. All 23 participants provided their own shuttles between the launch and take-out sites, brought their own refreshments, including food and beverages for the after-float campfire. It was a picture-perfect day and fun time for all.
What better way to celebrate Arbor Day than by planting a tree or two or more!
People often ask for help selecting a tree to plant at their home. My first bit of advice is always to choose something that is appropriate to the site, that will thrive for years to come. It is important to do some research and have a good understanding of a tree’s expected mature size, growth habits, and insect pest or disease concerns. Too often, we see trees that have been topped for line clearance—something that could have been avoided by selecting a smaller species! Continue reading “Happy Arbor 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!
