The Ecology Action Center presents the annual McLean County Green Awards to recognize local efforts to improve our environment. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 awards, with recipients being named at an online event on February 9, 2022.
The McLean County Recycling and Waste Reduction Award identifies businesses, schools or organizations with outstanding recycling programs or waste reduction efforts or individuals who have played a role in a successful program or effort. While nominations will be accepted for any recycling or waste reduction project, areas of growing interest include source reduction efforts, especially alternatives to single use items (plastic or paper grocery bags, etc.)
The Anne McGowan Making a World of Difference Award recognizes outstanding projects, activities, or individuals in McLean County who promote environmental awareness or natural resource conservation. The EAC dedicated the World of Difference Award in memory of McGowan, an early director of the EAC, due to her ability to inspire and motivate others to take action. Former EAC Executive Director Michelle Covi described Anne as a catalyst for action.
She was energetic and never hesitated to get her hands dirty. Her natural curiosity and love of the natural world fueled her passion for wildlife exploration and preservation. She shared her love with children and adults alike when she conducted nature walks, wildflower walks, and nature programs. She inspired and nurtured life-long dedication to environmental awareness and conservation in children, college students, and adults whose lives she touched.
In the spirit of Anne, the EAC seeks nominations of worthy projects, organizations, or individuals in nomination for the Anne McGowan Making World of Difference Award or the McLean County Recycling and Waste Reduction Award. Current EAC Executive Director Michael Brown suggested, “if more of us followed the outstanding example set by Anne McGowan, the world would be a much better place.”
Nominations may be made online or by stopping by the Ecology Action Center at 202 W College Avenue in Normal; all submissions are due by Monday, January 3, 2022 at 5 p.m.
EAC Green Gift Guide
There are a variety of gift options for the environment-lover in your life that benefit the planet, our community, and the Ecology Action Center.
There are a variety of gift options for the environment-lover in your life that benefit the planet, our community, and the Ecology Action Center.
All EAC Store purchases can be made online and items can be picked up from the EAC Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am - 5pm.
Tree Cards - $20
For the letter writers and tree lovers in your life! In support of the Ecology Action Center's Tree Corps initiative, we now offer custom folded note cards highlighting some of our favorite native hardwood trees! Sold in a set of eight, each bundle includes two of each design including Shagbark Hickory, Bur Oak, White Oak, and Pecan. Each card includes an illustration by artist Margaret Erin Hintz on the front and a caption on the back about the tree species by Dr. Joseph Armstrong of the Illinois State University Department of Biological Sciences. Cards measure 4.5 inches by 6.25 inches when closed, are blank inside, printed on 100% post-consumer paper content, and include a matching envelope.
Proceeds from the sale of the EAC tree cards support the Tree Corps initiative to plant 10,000 trees a year in McLean County. Learn more at Tree-Corps.org.
Canvas Tote - $13.80
These canvas totes are made from a 65% blend of cotton yarn produced from the excess fabric of newly made clothing, and 35% Bottle Bag material (made from 100% recycled PET bottles). Totes have a weight capacity of around 50 pounds and are extremely durable and long lasting. Long-time EAC members can still be seen using the first design of these bags that the EAC sold 15 years ago.
Chico Bag - $14.72
Made of durable woven recycled content polyester. These bags have a 25 lb carrying capacity and folds down to fit into a built in pouch for convenient storage. Built in pouch has a carabiner clip. Bags are machine washable and measure 17" w X 15" h.
EAC Logo Gear (limited supply)
Show your EAC non-profit spirit and rock a ball cap ($16.55), bandana ($7.35), facemask ($14.72), or knit beanie ($9.20)!
What is a better gift than the gift of composting? Get your loved-one started on their composting adventure with a BN Community Composting Starter Kit! Compostable materials collected in this program are taken to a commercial composting facility, so this program goes far beyond backyard composting. This can be a household's primary composting or can compliment someone with a backyard compost practice.
Starter Kit includes 5-gallon bucket, "How-to" instructions, 30 compostable 2.5 gallon liners, and Compost Kiosk Access Card. Composting service is included in the price. Compost collected goes to a commercial composting facility,
Acceptable items for composting include all food scraps, bones, meats, dairy, prepared foods, paper napkins, uncoated paper plates, greasy pizza boxes, and Biodegradable Products Institute certified compostable containers.
The Community Compost Kiosk is located at Normandy Village, 1100 N. Beech Street, Normal, Illinois. EAC is in fundraising to install a second kiosk at AB Hatchery in Bloomington.
Give the gift of rain water harvesting! The EAC's high quality 55-gallon rain barrels are made from a repurposed food-grade drum. Includes overflow hose, spigot, and mosquito/debris screen. These are the best quality rain barrels available in central Illinois at this price and are made only by the Ecology Action Center.
Plant a Tree for Christmas
What do you get for the person that has everything? Make a donation in their name to help the EAC plant trees in our community! Help us plant local trees this Christmas!
The Ecology Action Center’s Tree Corps program seeks to plant at least 10,000 trees a year for ten years. 2021 was wildly successful, with over 10,000 trees planted by the end of May. 2022 can be equally successful with your help!
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 EAC is joining with churches, civic groups, local governments, and many interested individuals and groups to plant trees around McLean County. Please donate now to our Plant a Tree For Christmas campaign to provide funds for 10,000 trees to be planted in McLean County in 2022!
.jpg)
.JPG)
