Join the Ecology Action Center Tree Corps to help plant and care for new trees in McLean County. Plant a tree for Tu B’Shvat is one of many efforts to plant thousands of new trees in multiple sites around McLean County.
The EAC is joining with churches, civic groups, local governments, and many interested individuals and groups to plant trees around McLean County. Planting trees will give us great opportunities to
- Add never-ending beauty to Central Illinois
- Enjoy working with friends for community benefit
- Improve local air quality and reduce carbon dioxide
- Increase native species, helping to preserve biodiversity
The Ecology Action Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. Donations may be made via the online donation form by clicking the logo to the right OR through group fundraising as a Tree Team.
Work Together to Have More Impact: Tree Teams
To meet the need for both donations and volunteer labor for planting, the EAC is challenging congregations, community groups, workplace groups, families, and any other interested group of people to commit to support planting 100 trees through this project by forming a Tree Corps Team.
Each Team can get started by making their pledge towards 100 trees (or more!). At $5 per tree (which covers the cost of both a seedling tree and related supplies and expenses) the recommended minimum group pledge is $500, and lining up a few volunteers to help with spring planting workdays (if possible, given that planting workdays will be weather dependent).
Tree Teams can raise the money towards their pledge amount within their groups, through family or friends, or by any other legal means.
Getting Started with a Tree Team
Tree Team Captains should sign up as a Fundraiser on the EAC website and then use the “Team” tab to create a Tree Team–don’t forget to designate a Team name that represents your group. Share the provided “Team Page URL” to invite other team members to join.
Be sure to set a Team goal–we recommend a minimum of $500 (100 trees) and working in increments of $500 if you wish to challenge your group to provide for even more trees. Your progress towards this goal will be visible on your Team page and help motivate others to donate so you can reach your goal. You can further customize your Team page in order to provide details of why your group values trees in our community. Once you have it ready, share your “Team Page URL” via your networks of friends and coworkers to encourage them to donate to help us all collectively plant Mohr Trees! To allow for April 2022 planting, we encourage groups to work to reach your goal by the deadline of April 1, 2022 if possible. Extensions on this deadline will be granted upon request.
EAC staff will coordinate planting workdays with Tree Team Captains; understanding that individuals have other commitments and limited flexibility, supplying volunteers for planting is desirable but not mandatory.
Planting workdays will adhere to all existing COVID-19 protocols to include at least face coverings and social distancing. In case of restrictions at the time of planting that entirely prohibit any such gathering, alternative plans will be prepared which may include planting by mechanical means to completely avoid person-to-person contact.
Tree Planting Volunteering
The Tree Corps project is completely dependent upon volunteers to be successful. Volunteers need not be part of a team to help with planting workdays, pre-planting site preparations, watering of trees and other maintenance, and other evolving needs. Workdays will be posted on the Ecology Action Center’s BN Green Events Calendar with specific volunteer sign up forms. But interested individuals may also sign up to be added to the EAC volunteer list and will receive occasional updates on upcoming opportunities.
Volunteer Email List Sign Up
