Tree Potting Workday - November 21, 2025 (9-11:30am)
2025-11-21 09:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | EAC Nursery, Bloomington, IL, 61701
Registration is now closed for this event.

Help the Ecology Action Center harvest and pot trees that are planted at our nursery on West Jefferson street so that they can be planted at other sites. Volunteers must be 18 years old or older or alternately 14 years or older and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Tools and heavy equipment might be in use and all volunteers must be able to safely use hand tools, stay on their feet for 3 hours at a time and lift a moderate weight (~15 pounds). Please dress appropriately for weather conditions and working outside. Closed-toed shoes or boots are required – no sandals or flip-flops. More information as well as a confirmation email will be communicated to volunteers prior to the workday and NOT at sign up.

Coffee with COII-Wellness in Interior Design Event
2025-11-22 09:30 - 10:30 | Green Top Grocery, 921 E. Washington, Bloomington, IL, 61701
Explore wellness in interior home design with interior designer Jennifer Crawford and COII’s CEO Rebecca DJ on Saturday, November 22 from 9:30-10:30am at Green Top Grocery. This talk will be exploring the impacts of VOC’s and sourcing sustainable materials. There will also be a reveal of a new COII home model. Registration appreciated at https://coii.co/events

Stay Salt Smart This Winter
2025-12-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Bloomington Public Library Community Room, 205 E Olive Street, Bloomington, IL, 61701, United States
Did you know that the road salt we use to manage ice and snow can harm our streams, lakes, and water supply even during summer? Join the Ecology Action Center on December 2 at 6:00pm at the Bloomington Public Library to explore how road salt impacts water quality and ecosystems—and how you can help reduce that impact. Perfect for concerned community members, gardeners, and curious families alike—come learn practical solutions that safeguard our water, soil, and wildlife.
We’ll cover:

What road salt is and how it travels from streets into local waterways
Ways to minimize salt use while keeping walkways safe
Environmentally friendly alternatives and best practices for winter care

mCLEAN Up Crew Workday
2025-12-13 09:00 - 12:00 | IL
Our local environment needs your help! Join the Ecology Action Center in picking up trash around McLean County for our November mCLEAN Up Crew Workday. Volunteers will use trash grabbers with safety equipment like high visibility vests and gloves to pick up litter around designated areas. Participants must be 18 years or older or 12-17 years old and accompanied by a guardian. Volunteers must be able to spend three hours on their feet and carry a weight of 10-15 pounds. A confirmation email and location information will be communicated 1-2 days prior to the workday. Please register each participant individually.
*Cancelled due to weather*

Galactic Guardians: An Eco Expedition With Wall-E!
2025-12-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Bloomington Public Library Community Room, 205 E Olive Street, Bloomington, IL, 61701, United States
On December 30 from 10:00-11:00am at the Bloomington Public Library, students are invited to enjoy an out-of-this-world presentation by the Ecology Action Center. Join us to hear a picture book featuring everyone’s favorite galactic guardian Wall-E! We will be discussing the importance of managing trash and caring for planet Earth. Attendees will also get the chance to build recycled pots out of newspaper and take home a trash scavenger hunt. No registration required.

Trash Tunes: Building Instruments From Trash
2026-01-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Normal Public Library, 206 West College Avenue, Normal, IL, 61761, United States
Join the Ecology Action Center at 10:00am on January 3 at the Normal Public Library as we explore the true story behind “Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay” by Susan Hood. This colorful picture book tells how children in Cateura, Paraguay, turned trash from their town’s landfill into musical instruments! In this hands-on program, kids will create their own instruments from recycled materials, like drums and plastic bottle trumpets, and then come together to play music as a group. It’s a fun way to learn about recycling and music!

Angler's Lake Stakeholder Meetings: January 6 & 7 (5:30-7:00pm)
2026-01-06 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-01-07 17:30 - 19:00 | Bloomington Public Library Community Room, 205 E Olive Street, Bloomington, IL, 61701, United States
Anglers Lake has benefited from stewardship efforts over the years by individuals, the City of Bloomington, and other partners, and it continues to be a valued site for many in our community. Unfortunately, native biodiversity at the site has declined as invasive species have spread and displaced native grasses, forbs, and shrubs.
In coordination with the City of Bloomington, the Ecology Action Center (EAC) hopes to add Anglers Lake as a Sugar Creek Stewards workday location. The EAC currently supports stewardship at Fairview Park and Ewing II and has done so for many years.
Our hope is to begin coordinating regular stewardship workdays at Anglers Lake next year to help implement a long-term management plan. To do this thoughtfully and collaboratively, we want to bring together all existing groups and individuals to develop a shared, mutually agreed-upon vision through a stakeholder process. We do not wish to intrude upon or override any ongoing efforts; rather, our goal is to help formalize, support, and build upon the many years of dedication already invested in this site.
To that end, we invite all interested to participate in a collaborative stakeholder process to help inform the development of a site management plan by a qualified professional contractor. These meetings will be held at the Bloomington Public Library, Community Room 2, on January 6 and January 7 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend one or both meetings.
If you are unable to attend, but would still like to give input, please email kvogler@ecologyactioncenter.org to receive a form for input.
The Ecology Action Center will make reasonable accommodations for participation in public programs and services. To request accommodation, please call 309-454-3169×11 or go to ecologyactioncenter.org/accommodation. Please provide two weeks advance notice if possible.

Grand Prairie Bird Alliance volunteer workday - let’s clean up Sugar Creek!
2026-01-24 10:00 - 14:00 | Illinois Art Station, 101 E. Vernon, Normal, 61761
Did you know that you can see bluebirds, woodpeckers, and so many other birds at the Illinois Art Station? This charming property at 101 E. Vernon includes a nice little forested area adjacent to Sugar Creek, making it the perfect place for birds to meet their every day needs – native seeds to eat, tree cavities for shelter, and a creek for water. Windy weather has resulted in quite a bit of litter accumulating along the creek, so help Grand Prairie Bird Alliance clean it up! The birds deserve better. Grand Prairie Bird Alliance will even provide hot chocolate. As a bonus, the clean-up will correspond with the Art Station’s monthly free art hours, so you can get inside to warm up and do some art as well! All are welcome. No skill required.
When: Saturday, January 24 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Where: Illinois Art Station, 101 E. Vernon (ADA accessible parking off Vernon at the main entrance; additional parking off Linden right near the creek)

Wild Ones: Illinois Prairie Chapter Program "Starting Native Plants from Seed"
2026-01-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Bloomington Public Library Community Room, 205 E Olive Street, Bloomington, IL, 61701, United States
On January 25, from 2:00-3:00pm join the Wild Ones: Prairie Chapter in “Starting Native Plants from Seed” at the Bloomington Public Library Community Room. View this event and others at illinoisprairie.wildones.org/chapter-events
Growing native plants from seed generally involves different processes than growing many garden vegetables from seed because most native plant seeds need to “experience” winter conditions in order to successfully germinate. In this program you will learn – where to get native plant seed; how to create the conditions needed for native plant seeds to germinate; and how to prepare your seedlings for life in your garden. Free native seed packets will be available to get you started so that your plants are ready to plant in your garden this spring. Supplies of these seed packets are limited. Some of these seeds were harvested from the new Prairie on the Patio native plant garden at Bloomington Public Library.
This program and Bloomington Public Library’s new Prairie on the Patio Garden was made possible through grant funding from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation with additional support from Wild Ones: Illinois Prairie Chapter.
Presenter Bio:
Sherrie Snyder is a graduate of the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist program, a founding member of the Illinois Prairie chapter of Wild Ones, and an active member of the ParkLands Foundation. She has grown and donated thousands of native plants for natural plantings around the community.

Build Equinox-Indoor Air Quality Webinar with COII
2026-01-27 19:00 - 20:00 | IL
On January 27 from 7:00-8:00pm learn about COII homes and the importance of indoor air quality through an air quality webinar with Build Equinox. In this webinar you will learn about HVAC systems that help to keep indoor air clean. Registration is required to receive the link. Please register at https://coii.co/events.

Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program
2026-02-06 11:00 - 13:00 | McLean County Health Department, 200 West Front Street, Bloomington, 61701, United States
Do you own a single-family rental property or a rental building with four (4) units or fewer built before 1978? The City of Bloomington invites you to an upcoming lunch and learn informational session on Friday, February 6 from 11 am to 1 pm at the McLean County Health Department about the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program, a grant opportunity available to eligible rental property owners in the 61701 ZIP code.
The City has a limited time to spend these grant funds. This session will explain how the program can provide free lead testing, remediation, and qualifying home improvements, at no cost to the property owner.
Session topics include:

Program eligibility and approval requirements
Application steps for property owners and tenants
Types of improvements covered
Tenant relocation during construction

Approval is based on whether children or pregnant women live in the unit(s) and the tenant’s income level. The property owner’s income is not considered. Both owners and tenants must complete applications and submit required documentation. City staff are available to assist throughout the process.
The program covers testing and construction costs. Common improvements include repairs or replacement of windows, doors, staircases, floors, and exterior components. Temporary tenant relocation during construction is coordinated by a grant representative, with all costs covered. Each rental unit must apply and be approved separately.
We encourage interested property owners to attend and learn how this program can support your property while helping create safer, healthier homes for Bloomington residents. We look forward to connecting with you soon. Please RSVP by contacting Program Manager Lori Schambureck at lschambureck@cityblm.org, or at 309.660.5211.

Wild Ones: Illinois Prairie Chapter Program "How to Love a Forest"
2026-02-09 19:00 - 20:30 | A Zoom link will be provided, IL
On February 9, from 7:00-8:30pm join the Wild Ones: Prairie Chapter in “How to Love a Forest” on Zoom. Advance registration is required. Register for this event and others at illinoisprairie.wildones.org/chapter-events. A recording of the program will be available on YouTube following the program.
What does it mean to love a forest? In this talk, Ethan Tapper, will draw from his work as a forester and his bestselling book — How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World — to discuss what it means to care for forests and other ecosystems at this moment in time. How do we respond to the harmful legacies of the past? How do we use our species’ incredible power to heal rather than to harm? How do we reach towards a better future? In a time in which many believe that “protecting” ecosystems means protecting them from ourselves, Ethan argues that humans must take action to help ecosystems heal and to move into a more abundant future. Ethan’s message is at once compassionate and pragmatic, clear-eyed and hopeful, sobering and inspiring, a powerful new idea for how we can build a world that works for all of its ecosystems and all of its people.
Presenter Bio:
Ethan Tapper is a forester, digital storyteller, and the bestselling author of How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World. For more than a decade, Ethan has been recognized as a thought-leader in the world of ecosystem stewardship, winning numerous regional and national awards for his work. More recently, he has been recognized as a writer – since its publication in 2024, How to Love a Forest has been named the winner of the 2025 New England Book Award for nonfiction, and received international acclaim.
Ethan’s message of relationship, responsibility and hope reaches millions of people each year through his writing, social media channels with hundreds of thousands of followers, and the hundreds of walks, talks and keynotes that he delivers across North America each year.
Ethan works, writes, hunts, birds and runs a small consulting forestry business from his home at Bear Island – his 175-acre working forest, homestead, orchard and sugarbush in Vermont – and plays in his punk band, The Bubs.

Learn to play Wingspan with GPBA at Red Raccoon Games
2026-02-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Red Raccoon Games, 301 N. Main St., Bloomington, IL
Join the Grand Prairie Bird Alliance at Red Raccoon to learn how to play Wingspan, the best bird game ever! Did you receive Wingspan as a gift because you were told it is the best bird game ever? Did you purchase it for yourself, saying you could figure it out with YouTube videos? Are you, like some of the Grand Prairie Bird Alliance board members, STILL unable to play it? Red Raccoon to the rescue! No prior knowledge required. Professional game players will be on hand to help even the most hapless board game players.
When: Saturday, February 14 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Red Raccoon, Downtown Bloomington, 301 N. Main

Sugar Creek Stewards Workday
2026-02-21 09:00 - 12:00 | IL
Come join us for our January workday along Sugar Creek! We need help improving Sugar Creek in designated areas throughout Bloomington and Normal, by clearing invasive plant species and managing the non-invasive plants.
Volunteers must be 18 years old or older (or 14 and accompanied by a parent or guardian) and be able to hike along uneven terrain and safely use basic hand tools such as loppers and bow saws.
The Sugar Creek Stewards is part of the Ecology Action Center’s Clean Water programming, and is supported by the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District, the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal. For more information, contact us.

*Please note that sign up closes the Friday before the event at noon*

Home, Lawn and Garden Day
2026-03-07 08:00 - 13:00 | IL
Make your garden thrive with educational workshops, inspiring speakers, and horticulture treasures from local businesses and organizations at the 24th Annual Home, Lawn, and Garden Day, hosted by the University of Illinois Extension McLean County Master Gardeners. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Parke Conference Center in Bloomington. Registration is open through March 1—sign up early to reserve your spot!
The day features an engaging opening session, two breakout workshops, and a keynote presentation by Bob Streitmatter, Director of Luthy Botanical Gardens in Peoria, on Nature-Inspired Gardens. His talk explores how natural landscapes have shaped garden design—from Japanese and English traditions to the works of Jensen, the Lurie Garden, and the High Line—offering practical ideas for your own garden.
The $40 registration fee includes all sessions, access to vendors and exhibitors, and light refreshments. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts. Workshops fill quickly!
Learn more and register at go.illinois.edu/HLGD.
For questions, contact the Illinois Extension McLean County Office at 309 663 8306.

What the Whip-poor-will Teaches Us About Forest Management
2026-03-30 19:00 - 20:00 | Illinois Wesleyan University – Center for Natural Sciences C101, 201 E. Beecher St., Bloomington, IL, 61701-7222, United States
The Grand Prairie Bird Alliance and the Illinois Wesleyan University Biology Department will sponsor a public presentation about bird ecology on March 30, 2026. The presentation will be held at 7 p.m. in room C101 at the Center for Natural Science (CNS), 201 Beecher Street, Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU), Bloomington. Parking is available in the lot just north of the CNS on Beecher Street.
Description: Holly Coates, a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois, will talk about “What the Whip-poor-will Teaches Us About Forest Management.” Eastern Whip-poor-wills are nocturnal, ground-nesting birds with have a distinctive call that is sometimes repeated for hours on end by males during the breeding season. Unfortunately, whip-poor-will populations have declined substantially over the past several years. As Midwestern forests become denser and more uniform, they lose the open, complex structure whip-poor-wills need to forage and move. Holly’s talk highlights how forest management influences whip-poor-will abundance and persistence, showing that restoring structural diversity can help support this declining and iconic bird.
