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Menard County Trails & Greenways

Ways to Discovery!

  • Home
  • 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
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Photo Galleries
  • Video Vignettes
  • Trails & Greenways Merchandise
  • Ways to Discovery Chautauqua Series
  • Home
  • 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
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Photo Galleries
  • Video Vignettes
  • Trails & Greenways Merchandise
  • Ways to Discovery Chautauqua Series
  • 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

    Earth Day!

    April 21, 2020

    Sip n’ Sow Seed Sowing Workshop

    December 19, 2023
  • New Salem Habitat Restoration Project,  Presentation,  Video

    Battling Invasive Plant Species Presentation Video

    March 13, 2023 /

    For those who missed Chris Evans and Ray Geroff at Broadgauge on February 22, or simply want to review all the great information that was shared, here is the video recording of Battling Invasive Plant Species.

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    MCTGuser

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    Scary Invasive Plants in Your Landscape

    October 31, 2023

    Invasive Species at New Salem State Historic Site

    November 30, 2021

    Battling Invasive Plant Species–Special Presentation

    February 14, 2023
  • History,  Presentation

    Life and Times of the Sangamon River

    March 12, 2023 /

    River valleys have a great many stories to tell. History is revealed in riverbanks all over the world. It is written in sediment, fossils, and artifacts. In some places, rivers expose ancient land and waterscapes created long before the river. Today, many rivers are refuges, tiny bits of what once was a far-reaching ecosystem. Life at the equator, colossal glaciers and the birth of rivers, megafauna, the arrival of people, earthquakes, a profound transformation of the landscape, but no dinosaurs, all these stories and more are told by the Sangamon River as it meanders its way across central Illinois. This video, History of the Sangamon River Valley by Michael Wiant,…

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    MCTGuser

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    What is the meaning of Sangamon?

    February 22, 2021
    Shickshack Hill

    Native American Trails

    February 14, 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!

    Read More
    MCTG-Admin

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    Trash Taskforce: Good Clean Fun

    March 28, 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
MCTG volunteers were out this morning giving the native plant gardens on the south side of Petersburg’s square some summer TLC! Overgrown plants spilling into sidewalks or blocking views were carefully trimmed, and the seed heads of prolific reseeders—like golden alexanders—were cut back. Weeds didn’t stand a chance, and we even made plans to add a few replacement plants soon.Big thanks to the Petersburg Streets Department for helping haul away the day’s debris!🌱 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬?Some species are already ripe for collecting, and more will be soon. You're welcome to gather small amounts of seed for personal use—lanceleaf coreopsis is one to keep an eye on this week! There are over 30 native species growing on the square, so there’s plenty to explore.Not sure when to collect? A good rule of thumb: wait until the stems look dry—that’s a sign the seed has fully matured. Check the comments for a helpful visual guide, and feel free to reach out with any questions! ... See MoreSee Less

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Menard County Trails and Greenways

1 month ago

Menard County Trails and Greenways

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Menard County Trails and Greenways

1 month 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

2 months 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 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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