Tree Planting Workday: April 13, 2025 (multiple shifts) IDOT Veterans Pkwy
2025-04-13
Help the Ecology Action Center plant small (1-3 ft tall) bareroot seedling trees to improve air quality, sequester carbon, increase wildlife habitat, and more!
We will be planting trees around the I-55/ I-74 interchange off of Veterans Parkway in Bloomington. IDOT personnel will be providing traffic control and appropriate safety signs and barriers, but all volunteers must be ready to follow all safety training and precautions that will be provided. Volunteers must be 18 or older for this project.
Tools and heavy equipment will 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. Long pants and 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.
Select one (or both!) of the shifts below:
Morning 9-11:30am shift
Afternoon 12:30-3pm shift

Rain Barrel Workshop: Monday, April 14, 2025 (5:30-6:30pm)
2025-04-14 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago)
The EAC’s rain barrel workshops teach attendees about the importance of rain water catchment in preventing storm water runoff pollution! Attendees will learn how to locate, install, and set up their rain barrel. We’ll also provide tips to transition downspouts for rain barrel usage, and information on proper winter storage. Workshops cost $55.00 for general public and $45.00 for EAC Members.
Throughout our workshop there will be ample opportunity for Q&A with EAC staff, who can answer questions about beneficial environmental impacts as well as practical everyday use of rain barrels.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have a sound understanding of the individual and community benefits of having a rain barrel, and can be confident about next steps to install, use and care for one. Participants will leave with their very own rain barrel made from a repurposed food-grade 55 gallon drum.

*Workshop registration closes 3 days before the workshop start date.*
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.

Pruning Oaks and Other Native Trees
2025-04-14 19:00 - 20:30 | 805 S Cottage Ave Normal IL, 805 S Cottage Ave, Normal
Join Guy Sternberg on April 14 at 7pm to learn about oak trees! Did you know that most young trees need a little help to become the best that they can be. Oaks have special characteristics that, if addressed at a young age, can be molded into the venerable form and stature that we all think about when the word “oak” is mentioned. While many other tree species are simpler to prune as needed, the same techniques and precautions can apply. Learn the right, and wrong, ways to approach pruning during the early years of tree growth. If we have time, we also will show a demonstration about pruning tools, their use and care.
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Note: This program will be presented both in-person and by livestream. To join the livestream visit this link https://youtube.com/live/4Z5eu9lb0oA?feature=share. A recording of the program will be available on our YouTube channel.

Backyard Composting Workshop: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 (5:30-6:30pm)
2025-04-15 17:30 - 18:30
The EAC’s compost workshop will cover the basics of backyard composting. You’ll learn basic techniques to build your compost pile, discuss what materials to include, and talk about what to do with compostable materials that don’t work in a backyard setting. This workshop will additionally help participants understand how to monitor and maintain their compost, as well as how to know when their compost is done and safe to use!

Our educators will provide resources for help identifying jumping worms, and tips for using your compost bin, thermometer, and stirrer to keep them at bay. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a sound understanding of the individual and community benefits of composting, and can be confident about next steps to set up and monitor compost in their own backyard.
For $35 ($25 for EAC members) attendees get backyard composting best practices information and a basic compost bin from a repurposed 55-gallon drum to take home. For $110, attendees get this same compost bin, backyard composting best practices information, a large thermometer to monitor compost pile temperature, and an aerator for stirring their compost pile. For $120 ($100 for EAC members) attendees receive best practices information and a 275-gallon MEGA Composter made from a repurposed food-grade “tote” with durable plastic cube supported by heavy metal cage. Wooden slates added to help stir and remove compost.

*Workshop registration closes 3 days before the workshop.*
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.

Tree Prep Workday: April 18, 2025 (multiple shifts)
2025-04-18
Help the Ecology Action Center prepare small (1-3′ tall) bareroot seedling trees for planting. These trees will help to improve air quality, sequester carbon, increase wildlife habitat, and more! 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.
Select one (or both!) of the shifts below:
Morning 9:30-12:00pm shift
Afternoon 1:00-3:30pm shift

Tree Planting Workday: April 19, 2025 (multiple shifts) BNWRD
2025-04-19
Help the Ecology Action Center plant small (1-3 ft tall) bareroot seedling trees to improve air quality, sequester carbon, increase wildlife habitat, and more!
Volunteers must be 18 or older, or alternatively 14 or older if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tools and heavy equipment will 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. Long pants and 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.
Sign up is now closed for this workday

Spring Migration Bird Walk
2025-04-19 08:00 - 09:30
Spring migration is upon us, so there is no better time to join Grand Prairie Bird Alliance for a bird walk! Join Mark and Nina Swanson at S.H. West Park northeast of Le Roy. This walk is co-sponsored by McLean County Parks and Recreation. Bird walks are appropriate for all ages and all skill levels. (Seriously, there is no pressure to know anything about birds! We can give you some tips, or you can just walk along with us and appreciate us appreciating the birds.) We even have 5 pairs of loaner binoculars! If you have questions about accessibility, please email us at grandprairiebirdalliance@gmail.com. More information can be found here: https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/92/Parks-Recreation.
