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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  • 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
  • Community Service,  Events,  Kayak/Canoe,  River Sweep,  Volunteering

    Sangamon River Sweep

    September 14, 2024 /

    We had a perfect day yesterday for being on the Sangamon. We hauled two full canoes of trash out. Tires, a TV, lawn chairs, house siding, buckets full of broken glass, cans and bottles, a plastic barrel…..and there’s more out there we didn’t have room for this time. Where does it all come from!?!? The weather was perfect, we saw a couple bald eagles, lots of killdeer, a great blue heron.

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    MCTG-Admin

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    Trash Taskforce: Good Clean Fun

    March 28, 2022
  • 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 Seed Sowing Workshop

    December 19, 2023

    Earth Day!

    April 21, 2020

    Sip n’ Sow Workshop

    November 18, 2022
  • Kayak/Canoe,  Water

    Fall Float 2022

    October 17, 2022 /

    The 2022 Trails & Greenways Annual Sangamon River Fall Float was a great success! Forty floaters enjoyed the beautiful autumn weather and toasty after-float campfire. Thanks to ALL who attended. And thank you ALL who helped out to make the event possible: Jennifer Satorius, Libby Shawgo, David Hedrick, Chris Rudin, Doug VanNattan, Edie Sternberg, Karen Erchinger, Michael Wiant, Scott Hewitt, Dan Robertson, Peg Robertson and Terri Treacy. Thank you PORTA (school bus shuttle) and Dairy Queen (hot dog trays).

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    MCTGuser

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

    August 5, 2021
    kayaking on sangamon river

    MCTG Comments on State Water Plan

    July 1, 2021
  • Community Service,  Events,  Kayak/Canoe,  River Sweep,  Volunteering

    Sangamon River Cleanup

    September 10, 2022 /

    On Friday, September 9, a small group of MCTG members spent a few hours cleaning up the Sangamon River near Hurie Park. On and around a sandbar located just below the Petersburg dam, the group hauled away about 10 bags of garbage and 20 tires from the river, otherwise known as “aquatic trash.” This trash can be harmful to fish and other wildlife that live in and around the river, as well as the humans who enjoy the river, plus it’s just ugly! Big thank you to the City of Petersburg for hauling away the garbage!

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    MCTG-Admin

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    Trash Taskforce: Good Clean Fun

    March 28, 2022
  • Advocacy,  Announcement,  Kayak/Canoe,  Water

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

    August 5, 2021 /

    On July 1, 2021 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a Public Notice addressing the City of Springfield’s amended Supplemental Water Supply Project. MCTG submitted the following public comment letter. The project’s initial proposal was to build Hunter Lake Reservoir to the southeast of Springfield Lake as an auxiliary water supply. Springfield subsequently requested an additional Purpose & Need of the project to include Aquatic Recreation. Per National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) requirements a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is being prepared to address the addition of Purpose and Need of Aquatic Resources. Under NEPA, the SEIS must evaluate all appropriate and reasonable alternatives, including, among other things, “Use of…

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    MCTG-Admin
  • kayaking on sangamon river
    Announcement,  Kayak/Canoe

    MCTG Comments on State Water Plan

    July 1, 2021 /

    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 opportunity for the public to review the recommendations and provide feedback. Menard County Trails & Greenways provided the following comments. (see below). Public feedback will be used to further develop a State Water Plan Draft Report, and public outreach meetings will be held in November 2021 to allow input to the report. We’ll keep you posted. Dear Illinois State Water Plan Task Force, Thank you for the opportunity to provide input on the revised water plan for the State of…

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    MCTGuser

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    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023

    Grist Mill on the Sangamon prints available online

    December 1, 2020

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

    August 5, 2021
  • Announcement,  Kayak/Canoe,  Water

    Public access to Illinois waterways

    May 25, 2021 /

    Illinois Department of Natural Resources working on the development of a revised State Water Plan.  The public is invited to review the recommendations by the Task Force of each critical issue and provide feedback to ensure that the project is addressing everybody’s most important water-related needs in IL. Virtual public hearings (identical) were held May 25-27 by IDNR at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/WaterResources/Pages/StateWaterPlanTaskForce.aspx Prior to the Live Meetings, DNR suggest that you listen to the Recorded Summary to obtain a brief overview about each of the 13 identified critical issues. The presentation has been provided in both a video or slideshow format to allow viewing options. Recorded Summary Video Link:  View  Download Recorded Summary Slideshow Link:  Link  …

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    MCTGuser

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    Grist Mill on the Sangamon prints available online

    December 1, 2020

    Plant pollinator habitat at home

    December 8, 2023
    kayaking on sangamon river

    MCTG Comments on State Water Plan

    July 1, 2021
  • Events,  Kayak/Canoe

    2020 Sangamon River Fall Float

    October 25, 2020 /

    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.

    Read More
    MCTGuser

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    Earth Day!

    April 21, 2020

    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023

    Sip n’ Sow Workshop

    November 18, 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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