Events
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New Salem Habitat Restoration Work Days
New Salem East Side Parking Lot Pritchetville Road, Petersburg, IL, United StatesMeet us in the woods one day each month through June for a work day to remove invasive species from Shickshack Ridge and Cardinal Ridge. From December through March our focus will be cutting and stacking bush honeysuckle and other woody invasive plant species. Beginning in April, we'll focus on pulling and bagging garlic mustard. Event Details: • Meeting Location: We'll gather in the parking lot at the top of the hill on the east side of the park, near the old restaurant. Important Information: • Waivers: All volunteers who have not signed a 2025 volunteer waiver must do so for the December event; All volunteers must sign a 2026 volunteer waiver (available on work day). • Minors: Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian--and both must sign the waiver. • Dress Code: Please wear appropriate work clothing: long pants, long sleeves, sturdy boots or footwear, and gloves. Hats are recommended. Layering is a good idea since you'll warm up as you work. Tools and Supplies: • We will provide some hand tools, but if you own a sturdy pair of loppers, please bring them along. You may also bring your own battery-powered chainsaw, provided you have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). • Hydration: Don't forget to bring plenty of drinking water to stay refreshed! RSVPs are not required, but appreciated. RSVP via email. DO NOT contact the park with questions, as this event is not sponsored by site staff. In the event of rain, the work day will be cancelled. We can’t wait to see you there and appreciate your help in enhancing our habitat in beautiful Menard County! Event will be cancelled if it's raining or snowing! Check our Facebook page for updates.
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Trails & Greenways Board Meeting
RiverBank Lodge 522 South 6th Street, Petersburg, Illinois, United StatesIn 2026, the board of Menard County Trails & Greenways will meet the 2nd Tuesday of March, May, September and November in the small board room in the basement of RiverBank Lodge. Members are welcome to attend; however, please let us know if you intend to come so we can make sure we have enough chairs, etc.
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New Salem Habitat Restoration Work Days
New Salem East Side Parking Lot Pritchetville Road, Petersburg, IL, United StatesMeet us in the woods one day each month through June for a work day to remove invasive species from Shickshack Ridge and Cardinal Ridge. From December through March our focus will be cutting and stacking bush honeysuckle and other woody invasive plant species. Beginning in April, we'll focus on pulling and bagging garlic mustard. Event Details: • Meeting Location: We'll gather in the parking lot at the top of the hill on the east side of the park, near the old restaurant. Important Information: • Waivers: All volunteers who have not signed a 2025 volunteer waiver must do so for the December event; All volunteers must sign a 2026 volunteer waiver (available on work day). • Minors: Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian--and both must sign the waiver. • Dress Code: Please wear appropriate work clothing: long pants, long sleeves, sturdy boots or footwear, and gloves. Hats are recommended. Layering is a good idea since you'll warm up as you work. Tools and Supplies: • We will provide some hand tools, but if you own a sturdy pair of loppers, please bring them along. You may also bring your own battery-powered chainsaw, provided you have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). • Hydration: Don't forget to bring plenty of drinking water to stay refreshed! RSVPs are not required, but appreciated. RSVP via email. DO NOT contact the park with questions, as this event is not sponsored by site staff. In the event of rain, the work day will be cancelled. We can’t wait to see you there and appreciate your help in enhancing our habitat in beautiful Menard County! Event will be cancelled if it's raining or snowing! Check our Facebook page for updates.
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Walking tour of historic homes and buildings in Petersburg
Petersburg PetersburgCome walk the hills of Petersburg to view some the town's most iconic historic treasures and learn about their history. Following the walk, there will be an optional gathering at one of our local watering holes. Save the Date - More details to come - Stayed tuned.
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Adopt-a-Highway
Main Entrance to New Salem X5G5+88, Lake Petersburg, IL, United StatesJoin us for the Adopt-a-Highway cleanup at 9:00 AM to take care of our 2-mile IDOT Adopt-A-Highway segment that runs from the south edge of New Salem to the south end of Petersburg. With a full crew it should only take about an hour. Meet at the main entrance to New Salem State Historic Site off Rte. 97. Trash bags and safety vests supplied (if you have one our safety vests please bring it). Please wear gloves, long pants, closed-toed shoes or boots. See you there!!
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New Salem Habitat Restoration Work Days
New Salem East Side Parking Lot Pritchetville Road, Petersburg, IL, United StatesMeet us in the woods one day each month through June for a work day to remove invasive species from Shickshack Ridge and Cardinal Ridge. From December through March our focus will be cutting and stacking bush honeysuckle and other woody invasive plant species. Beginning in April, we'll focus on pulling and bagging garlic mustard. Event Details: • Meeting Location: We'll gather in the parking lot at the top of the hill on the east side of the park, near the old restaurant. Important Information: • Waivers: All volunteers who have not signed a 2025 volunteer waiver must do so for the December event; All volunteers must sign a 2026 volunteer waiver (available on work day). • Minors: Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian--and both must sign the waiver. • Dress Code: Please wear appropriate work clothing: long pants, long sleeves, sturdy boots or footwear, and gloves. Hats are recommended. Layering is a good idea since you'll warm up as you work. Tools and Supplies: • We will provide some hand tools, but if you own a sturdy pair of loppers, please bring them along. You may also bring your own battery-powered chainsaw, provided you have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). • Hydration: Don't forget to bring plenty of drinking water to stay refreshed! RSVPs are not required, but appreciated. RSVP via email. DO NOT contact the park with questions, as this event is not sponsored by site staff. In the event of rain, the work day will be cancelled. We can’t wait to see you there and appreciate your help in enhancing our habitat in beautiful Menard County! Event will be cancelled if it's raining or snowing! Check our Facebook page for updates.
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Spring Migration Birding New Salem with Jim Herkert
New Salem East Side Parking Lot Pritchetville Road, Petersburg, IL, United StatesBirdwatching during the spring migration is a joy—especially when an expert birder is leading the outing. Menard County is fortunate to have just such an expert in Jim Herkert. A retired avian ecologist, Jim has served with the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, The Nature Conservancy, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the Illinois Audubon Society. Over the course of more than 30 years, he has studied bird populations across Illinois and beyond.
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Trails & Greenways Board Meeting
RiverBank Lodge 522 South 6th Street, Petersburg, Illinois, United StatesIn 2026, the board of Menard County Trails & Greenways will meet the 2nd Tuesday of March, May, September and November in the small board room in the basement of RiverBank Lodge. Members are welcome to attend; however, please let us know if you intend to come so we can make sure we have enough chairs, etc.
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New Salem Habitat Restoration Work Days
New Salem East Side Parking Lot Pritchetville Road, Petersburg, IL, United StatesMeet us in the woods one day each month through June for a work day to remove invasive species from Shickshack Ridge and Cardinal Ridge. From December through March our focus will be cutting and stacking bush honeysuckle and other woody invasive plant species. Beginning in April, we'll focus on pulling and bagging garlic mustard. Event Details: • Meeting Location: We'll gather in the parking lot at the top of the hill on the east side of the park, near the old restaurant. Important Information: • Waivers: All volunteers who have not signed a 2025 volunteer waiver must do so for the December event; All volunteers must sign a 2026 volunteer waiver (available on work day). • Minors: Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian--and both must sign the waiver. • Dress Code: Please wear appropriate work clothing: long pants, long sleeves, sturdy boots or footwear, and gloves. Hats are recommended. Layering is a good idea since you'll warm up as you work. Tools and Supplies: • We will provide some hand tools, but if you own a sturdy pair of loppers, please bring them along. You may also bring your own battery-powered chainsaw, provided you have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). • Hydration: Don't forget to bring plenty of drinking water to stay refreshed! RSVPs are not required, but appreciated. RSVP via email. DO NOT contact the park with questions, as this event is not sponsored by site staff. In the event of rain, the work day will be cancelled. We can’t wait to see you there and appreciate your help in enhancing our habitat in beautiful Menard County! Event will be cancelled if it's raining or snowing! Check our Facebook page for updates.
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Hill Prairie Ramble
Petersburg Mayor, Rick Snyder, has invited us to visit his hill prairie located in Cass County. Save the date -- details to come.
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Adopt-a-Highway
Main Entrance to New Salem X5G5+88, Lake Petersburg, IL, United StatesJoin us for the Adopt-a-Highway cleanup at 9:00 AM to take care of our 2-mile IDOT Adopt-A-Highway segment that runs from the south edge of New Salem to the south end of Petersburg. With a full crew it should only take about an hour. Meet at the main entrance to New Salem State Historic Site off Rte. 97. Trash bags and safety vests supplied (if you have one our safety vests please bring it). Please wear gloves, long pants, closed-toed shoes or boots. See you there!!
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Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation Party
Hand of Fate Brewery 107 E Douglas St, Petersburg, IllinoisSAVE THE DATE! Our Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation Party is always a great time! Look for details in future email announcements.
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Adopt-a-Highway
Main Entrance to New Salem X5G5+88, Lake Petersburg, IL, United StatesJoin us for the Adopt-a-Highway cleanup at 9:00 AM to take care of our 2-mile IDOT Adopt-A-Highway segment that runs from the south edge of New Salem to the south end of Petersburg. With a full crew it should only take about an hour. Meet at the main entrance to New Salem State Historic Site off Rte. 97. Trash bags and safety vests supplied (if you have one our safety vests please bring it). Please wear gloves, long pants, closed-toed shoes or boots. See you there!!
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Trails & Greenways Board Meeting
RiverBank Lodge 522 South 6th Street, Petersburg, Illinois, United StatesIn 2026, the board of Menard County Trails & Greenways will meet the 2nd Tuesday of March, May, September and November in the small board room in the basement of RiverBank Lodge. Members are welcome to attend; however, please let us know if you intend to come so we can make sure we have enough chairs, etc.
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Petersburg Harvest Fest Parade
Join the fun! Save the Date! Walk with Trails & Greenways in the Petersburg Harvest Fest Parade. Details to come. View video clip from the 2025 parade:.
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Annual Sangamon River Fall Float
New Salem Riverside Picnic Area X5C9+27 Petersburg, Illinois, United StatesSave the Date. Registration for this fun-filled paddle on the Sangamon River will start in September. Check back here and on Facebook.
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Adopt-a-Highway
Main Entrance to New Salem X5G5+88, Lake Petersburg, IL, United StatesJoin us for the Adopt-a-Highway cleanup at 9:00 AM to take care of our 2-mile IDOT Adopt-A-Highway segment that runs from the south edge of New Salem to the south end of Petersburg. With a full crew it should only take about an hour. Meet at the main entrance to New Salem State Historic Site off Rte. 97. Trash bags and safety vests supplied (if you have one our safety vests please bring it). Please wear gloves, long pants, closed-toed shoes or boots. See you there!!
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Trails & Greenways Board Meeting
RiverBank Lodge 522 South 6th Street, Petersburg, Illinois, United StatesIn 2026, the board of Menard County Trails & Greenways will meet the 2nd Tuesday of March, May, September and November in the small board room in the basement of RiverBank Lodge. Members are welcome to attend; however, please let us know if you intend to come so we can make sure we have enough chairs, etc.