Have you checked BN Green Events lately? If so, you might have seen that the EAC is busy with lots of workshops, programs, and volunteering opportunities. Check out below all the cool things going on at the EAC!
WORKSHOPS!
·Rain Barrel: Spring time means rain which means it is a great time to start collecting rain water to be used on your garden later in the season. This will put less strain on your wallet and on our municipal water system. The EAC’s rain barrel workshops start in April and run through fall. Rain barrel workshops last about an hour and cost $55 ($45 for EAC Members). At the end of the workshop you will have all the necessary tips, tricks, and tools to start harvesting rain water in your very own rain barrel! Visit ecologyactioncenter.org/workshops to sign up.
·Backyard Composting: It is getting to be planting season for central Illinois. It might be too late to make your own compost for this planting season but it is a great time to start your pile to put on next year’s crops. The EAC’s backyard composting workshops run spring to fall and cost $35 ($25 for EAC members) for the workshop and compost bin and $110 for the workshop, compost bin, stirrer, and thermometer. Visit ecologyactioncenter.org/workshops to sign up!
PROGRAMS!
··A Green Day at Sunnyside Park, April 20 (11-1pm): Join the EAC, Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department and SOAR for a park clean up and children friendly workshop. Make sure to register ahead of time by calling the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department at 309-434-2260.
··Rivian 5k, April 20 (1-4pm): Want to exercise to make a difference? Then participate in the second annual Rivian 5k/1 mile walk to help benefit the EAC and Friends of the Constitution trail. This event is taking place at Heartland Community Center and is $15 for a runner or $30 for a family. Sign up to race here.
··Ripple, May 4 (8-12pm): See the full article in the e-newsletter on this fun Clean Water Event!
··International Compost Awareness Week Programs, May 5-11: Learn about commercial, backyard, and vermicomposting in this hour long program available at the listed McLean County libraries. Registration may be required.
oDanvers Township Library, May 7 (6-7pm)
oNormal Public Library, May 9 (2-3pm)
oBloomington Public Library, May 11 (11-12pm)
VOLUNTEERING!
·Tree Corps: Tree-Corps is the EAC’s initiative to plant 10,000 trees in McLean County annually. Tree Corps prep and planting days are happening
most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in April and into the beginning of May. Tree planting is also happening on Earth Day! Check out Tree-Corps.org for more specifics and to sign up to volunteer.
··Earth Day Constitution Trail and Sugar Creek Clean Up: On April 27from 9-12pm help pick up trash around Sugar Creek with the Ecology Action Center and friends of the Constitution Trail. Trash pickup will be happening on the trail from the Chateau west to Audubon Gardens. All participants must sign up at ecologyactioncenter.org/volunteering.
·Recycling Program Prep Volunteers:Help the EAC prepare for the annual summer library children’s recycling programs. This year the EAC recycling program involves a craft where students can emboss aluminum sheets made from repurposed aluminum cans. The EAC is looking for volunteers to convert the aluminum from cans to sheets so they can be used for embossing. Workdays are happening throughout April and May. Learn more and sign up at ecologyactioncenter.org/volunteering
·Sugar Creek Stewards: Help to improve Sugar Creek by clearing out invasive plant species and managing non-invasive plants in designated
areas throughout Bloomington and Normal. This volunteer opportunity occurs on the third Saturday of every month. Learn more and sign up at ecologyactioncenter.org/volunteering
Attn: Bloomington Solid Waste Program Users
Your free bulk waste collection will take place this year from May 6 – May 17. Some accepted items include furniture, items of waste from cleaning out a house, remodeling debris (permit may be required), garden trimmings, leaves, and brush.
Head over to bloomingtonil.gov or call 309-434-2225 to learn more.
Ripple: Be part of the ripple effect-because every drop counts
Join the Ecology Action Center, the Town of Normal, and other community partners on May 4th from 8 am to 12 pm at Fairview Park for RIPPLE, McLean County’s first family friendly clean water extravaganza. Prepare to immerse yourself in a day filled with inspiration, education, and action as we come together to celebrate and protect our local water sources.
The festivities kick off at 8 am with an array of educational opportunities. Marvel at the beauty of native fish species brought by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and gain a newfound appreciation for our local aquatic food chain. Dive into the history of our municipal water systems with McLean County Museum of History and talk to the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District about wastewater management. Get creative and make water cycle bracelets with McLean County Ag in the classroom to deepen your understanding of water's vital role in agriculture and learn about how clouds are formed with the Children’s Discovery Museum.
Needing a break from the activities and booths? There will be captivating storytelling performances by Brian Fox Ellis at 9 am and 10:45 am. At 10 am, groove to live music by Twång. However, the excitement doesn't end there! Participate in hands-on activities led by Illinois State University students, who will guide you in identifying macroinvertebrates from Sugar Creek and using them to assess local water quality. Engage with Dr. Aaron Wilson from Illinois Wesleyan University to learn about invasive mussels found in McLean County and discover strategies for mitigating their impact on our ecosystems.
Be sure to visit booths hosted by organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, City of Bloomington, ParkLands Foundation, University of Illinois Extension, Normal Public Library, Wild Ones, and of course the Ecology Action Center. Connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and be inspired by collective efforts to safeguard our waterways.
Together, let's dive into a day of insights, collaboration, and a shared commitment to ensuring clean, thriving waterways for generations to come. Join us at RIPPLE and remember to be part of the ripple effect—because every drop counts!
Recycling Truck Fire
On March 28, 2024 a Bloomington recycling truck caught fire during a residential collection route. Luckily, the driver took swift action when they noticed smoke coming from the
back of the truck by relocating to less populated area with fewer homes. The blaze was quickly extinguished by the Bloomington Fire Department and no injuries and only minor property damage were reported.
After the fire was out, City staff members found lithium batteries and metal auto parts containing petroleum that were improperly placed in a recycling cart and were the likely cause of the fire. Lithium batteries are highly flammable and should never be placed in the garbage or recycling. Instead, they can be recycled locally at Batteries Plus Blubs and Interstate Batteries where a small fee may apply. Lithium batteries can also be recycled at a Household Hazardous Waste collection facility or event.
Metal auto parts cannot be recycled in the residential curbside collection. Only steel and aluminum containers and foil are accepted in our local recycling program. Other metal items can be taken to
Alter Metal Recycling in Bloomington or placed in the garbage.If any of those items contain petroleum products, which are highly flammable, the petroleum must be removed first and properly disposed of. Most auto part stores and mechanics will recycle used auto fluids.
Improperly disposing of flammable items like these are very dangerous and have the potential to cause serious injury or death, major damage or destruction to collection trucks, and major damage or destruction to nearby property and infrastructure. Please dispose of these items properly.
Eclipse Glasses Reuse
EAC staff had a blast safely watching the eclipse with their eclipse glasses. But now what do we do with them? Instead of tossing them in trash here are a few alternative options:
ISU Office of Sustainability: Drop-off anytime during regular office hours M-F 8-4:30 at 305 N. School St. There are also drop boxes located on campus.
Glasses will be sent to Astronomers Without Boarders where they are redistributed around the world for others to use during their next eclipse opportunity.
Eclipse Glasses USA: Undamaged glasses can be mailed to Eclipse Glasses USA, LLC PO Box 50571 Provo, UT 84605. Only US-made paperboard glasses that have the manufacture’s address and contact info and an ISO logo can be reused. Eclipse Glasses USA will send usable glasses to children in other countries that are unable to obtain glasses for upcoming eclipses.
Remove the lenses and recycle the cardboard.
Car Seat Trade-In Event
Have an old car seat taking up precious storage space? Don't fret! The Target Car Seat Trade-In event returns this year. From April 14th through April 27th you can recycle old, unwanted, and
expired car seats at most Target stores. AND you'll receive a 20% discount on other baby gear. Look for the large collection box located near guest services and be sure to scan the QR code to receive your coupon.
Car seats are not recyclable in any residential or local recycling program so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity!
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