Greenways Events in McLean County

Greenways partner events throughout McLean County

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2023

JWP Spring Bird Walk

May 28, 2023 @ 8-9:30

Location: Ewing Park II (1001 Eithell Parkway Bloomington IL)

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JWP Spring Bird Walk

May 27, 2023 @ 8AM

Location: ParkLands Foundation Merwin Preserve North Gate on Clarksville Road (2650 N) with leader Dr. Pirmin Nietlisbach

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JWP Spring Bird Walk

May 20, 2023 @ 8AM

Location: Ewing Park (1001 Ethell Parkway, Bloomington)

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Native Plant Sale

May 20, 2023 @ 8AM-1PM

Location: White Oak Township Community Building. 202 Lincoln St N, Carlock IL 61725

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JWP Spring Bird Walk

May 14, 2023 @8:30

Location: Fraker Farm. 2226 County Road 375N. Carlock IL.

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JWP Spring Bird Walk

May 13, 2023 @ 8AM

Location: Ewing Park. 1001 Ethell Parkway Bloomington. Leaders Dr. Given Harper & Michael Retter.

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Backyard Habitats

May 8, 2023 @ 7-8:30PM

Location: Mennonite Church of Normal. 805 S Cottage Ave. Normal IL. Live Stream available.

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JWP Spring Bird Walk

May 7, 2023 @ 2PM

Location: Hidden Creek. 100 W. Sycamore. Normal. Leaders: Lenore Sobota & Mercy & Bill Davison

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Tree Corps

May 2023

Help the Ecology Action Center and local partners plant 10,000 trees in 2023 to reduce air pollution, sequester carbon, increase wildlife habitat, improve watershed protection, and much more!

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Earth Care Fair

April 30, 2023 11AM-1PM

Location: Second Presbyterian Church. 404 N Prairie Bloomington IL

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JWP Spring Bird Walk

April 29, 2023 @ 8AM

Location: Ewing Park. 1001 Ethell Parkway Bloomington. Leaders: Dave & Bode Thompson

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Wildflower Walk 2023

April 22, 2023 @ 10AM-11AM

Location: Merwin Preserve .

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Celebrate Trails Day

April 22, 2023 at 11AM

Meet at Underwood Park - Shelter off Linden Ave. Helmets are required.

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What kills the buzz in the meadow?

April 10, 2023 @ 7-8:30PM

Location: Mennonite Church of Normal. 805 S Cottage Ave. Normal IL

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Jennifer Kuroda

April 6, 2023 @ 7PM

Location: Room C101 at Center for Natural Sciences (CNS), Illinois Wesleyan University, 201 Beecher Street, Bloomington, IL 61701. Parking is available in the lot north of the CNS.

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Dr. Ebony Murrell

March 23, 2023 @ 7PM

Location: Room C101 at Center for Natural Sciences (CNS), Illinois Wesleyan University, 201 Beecher Street, Bloomington, IL 61701. Parking is available in the lot north of the CNS.

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The Pollinator Victory Garden

March 13, 2023 @ 7-8:30PM

Virtual Event. Register in advanced!

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The Magic Stump - A Documentary about raptors in Central IL

March 7, 2023 @ 7PM

Location: Normal Theater. 209 W North St. Normal IL.

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A Backyard Prairie: What is a Backyard Prairie and Lessons Learned

February 13, 2023 @ 7-8:30PM

Virtual Event: Register in advance!

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JWP Audubon Bird Photography Exhibit

January 11 - February 28, 2023

Normal Public Library: 206 W. College Ave. Normal 61761

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2022

Dr. Auriel Fournier Presentation

November 29, 2022 @ 7:00 PM

Event Location: IWU Room C101 at the Center for Natural Science (CNS) 201 Beecher St. Bloomington

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Route 66 Trail Tree Planting

October 28 8:30AM-12:30PM

The Friends of the Constitution Trail and the Ecology Action Center are teaming up for a Tree Corps planting project along the Constitution Trail/Route 66 Bike Route.

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Autumn Celebration

October 22 10AM-4PM

Come celebrate Autumn for the first time in 2 years at Sugar Grove Nature Center!

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Bird Walk at The Grove Park

October 15 @ 8:30AM

Meet at Benjamin Elementary School (6006 Ireland Grove Rd. Bloomington)

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Illinois Pioneer Prairie Cemeteries

October 10, 2022 @ 7:00 PM

Many small high-quality examples currently exist in pioneer cemetery prairies and some are protected as Illinois Nature Preserves. Learn about this priceless component of Illinois’ natural heritage in this program by botanist Chris Benda.

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September Bird Walks

Saturdays & Sundays

Click to view all the details

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Nature Trails Day at Sugar Grove

September 17, 2022 10AM-3PM

Event Location: Sugar Grove Nature Center

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Hummingbird Festival at Sugar Grove

September 3, 2022 10AM-2PM

Event Location: Sugar Grove Nature Center

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Shawnee Showdown at the Normal Theater

August 31, 2022 @ 7:00 PM

Event Location: Normal Theater. Special Q & A after the movie with Sam Stearns and John Wallace.

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Arts' Fair at Sugar Grove

August 20, 2022 10AM-2PM

Event Location: Sugar Grove Nature Center

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Hidden Creek Bird Walk

July 16, 2022 @ 7:30 AM

Event Location: Hidden Creek. 100 W Sycamore Normal IL 61761

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Maxwell Park Bird Walk

July 9, 2022 @ 7:30 AM

Event Location: Maxwell Park Pavilion. 307 N Parkside Rd Normal IL 61761

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JWP Audubon Spring Migration Bird Walk

May 22, 2022 @ 2PM

Event Location: Merwin Parklands Foundation. 2650 North Rd. Lexington

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JWP Audubon Spring Migration Bird Walk

May 21, 2022 @ 8AM

Event Location: Ewing Park. 1001 Ethell Parkway Bloomington IL 61701

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Wild Ones Native Plant Sale

May 21, 2022 @ 8AM-1PM

Event Location: Township Community Building. 202 N Lincoln St. Carlock

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JWP Audubon Spring Migration Bird Walk

May 15, 2022 @ 2:00PM

Event Location: Hidden Creek Park (100 W Sycamore Normal 61761)

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JWP Audubon Spring Migration Bird Walk

May 8, 2022 @ 2 PM

Event Location: Ewing Park. 1001 Ethell Parkway. Bloomington IL 61701

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JWP Audubon Spring Migration Bird Walk

April 30, 2022 @ 8AM

Event Location: Camp Peairs. 24201 Camp Peairs Rd. Hudson IL 61748

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JWP Audubon Spring Bird Walk

April 23, 2022 @ 8AM

Event Location: Parkland Foundation Merwin Preserve (County RD 2650 N Lexington)

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JWP Audubon Spring Bird Walk

April 16, 2022 8:00am-10:00am

Event Location: Ewing Park (1001 Ethell Parkway Bloomington 61701)

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Dr. Curt Meine Presentation

April 14, 2022 7:30-9PM

Land Ethics Evolving: Conservation in a Time of Rapid Social and Environmental Change

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Native American uses of Plants

April 11, 2022 7:00 PM

Event Location: Mennonite Church. 802 S Cottage Ave. Normal IL 61761. Event Webpage: illinoisprairie.wildones.org/events

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Monty and Rose 2 @ Normal Theater

March 30, 2022 @ 7PM

Details: Where: Normal Theater. When: Wednesday, March 30 @ 7PM. Cost: FREE. Website: https://www.montyandrose.net/

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Vic Berardi - The History, the Raptors and the Data

March 3, 2022 @ 7PM

Vic Berardi - "The Illinois Beach State Park Hawk Watch: The History, the Raptors, and the Data."

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JWP Audubon Photo Exhibit

January 3 - February 28

Visit the Normal Public Library to view the JWP Audubon Photo Exhibit. Event Page: jwpaudubon.com

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2021

How Are Illinois’ Birds Faring?

June 29, 2021

A recent research study which estimates the loss of 3 billion birds in North America over the past 50 years -- more than 25% of birds on the continent -- has led many to question what the implications are for birds in Illinois. Join Bloomington Public Library as Dr. T.J. Benson presents an overview of Illinois' birds, population trajectories over the past 100 years, recent threats, and opportunities for bird conservation in the 21st century. Dr. Benson is a senior wildlife ecologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey, part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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Bicycling in McLean County Greenways

July 22, 2021

Michael Brown, Executive Director of Ecology Action Center and Patrick Dullard, President of Friends of Constitution Trail are avid bikers and use the trails for work and pleasure. Learn about their experiences and how you can enjoy bicycling Greenways more.

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Finding Birds in McLean County: An Ornithologist’s Overview

April 15, 2021

Did you know thousands of birds migrate through McLean County in the Spring? More than 314 species of birds have been recorded in the county - some common and some rare. We held a virtual presentation on April 15, 2021 about finding migrating birds in McLean County! Click "learn more" to view the recording.

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Identifying Wildflowers in McLean County

April 29, 2021

Wildflowers will be popping up soon at several Greenways locations throughout McLean County, and you will have a chance to see their beauty! Virtual event was held April 29, 2021.

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Spring Wildflowers Scavenger Hunt

Local Master Naturalists and Sugar Grove Nature Center educators have designed a fun springtime activity for kids. Our wildflower scavenger hunt sheet lists several wildflowers you can expect to encounter at our Greenways locations during the months of April and May. This scavenger hunt is designed for children and their families, but adult visitors will also enjoy doing it! Photo credit (above): Bluebells, Deanna Frautschi

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ISU Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day at the ISU Horticulture Center, April 22, 2021 (registration required)

Before colonization, about 60 percent (or 22 million acres) of Illinois land was covered in tall grass prairie. Today only 2,500 acres of remnant prairie remain. Join ISU on Earth Day to learn about the beautiful prairies that give Illinois its nickname, the Prairie State. Make a difference by volunteering to help revitalize the prairie at the ISU Horticulture Center.

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ParkLands Foundation Earth Day Volunteer Challenge

April 22 - 25, 2021 (registration required)

The ParkLands Foundation’s first annual Earth Day Volunteer Challenge (April 22 – 25) aims to raise ecological awareness and make a collective impact on protecting the natural heritage of central Illinois.

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JWP Audubon Spring Migration Bird Walks

April 17, 2021 - May 22, 2021

The JWP Audubon Bird Walks are back for spring migration! Meeting at our city's own bird oasis, Ewing Park, the group will be led by our local experts. Designated an Important Bird Area, the park hosts migrating warblers, sparrows, thrushes, raptors and more! Check the JWP Audubon Facebook Events page for more information about specific dates and what to expect. Clicking on this graphic will take you right there.

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Ewing Park Fall Migration Bird Walks

Sundays through October 17, 2021

Led by some of JWP's finest, we coordinate weekend morning bird walks during peak migration at our local bird oasis, Ewing Park. Hedge Apple Woods was designated an Important Bird Area for migration in 2016. Warblers, thrushes, sparrows, finches, raptors, etc., all are seen at this easily accessible location. Fall 2021 Bird Walks (8 a.m. at Ewing Park II in Bloomington - 1001 Ethel Parkway). Sunday, September 19; Sunday, September 26; Sunday, October 3; Sunday, October 10; Sunday, October 17

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