Ecology Action Center

10/15/2026

BN Green Events: It Starts in Your Yard: Community Wide Habitat Restoration. One Yard, One Neighborhood, One Community at a Time.

When:
Monday, October 19, 7 p.m.

Where:
Mennonite Church, 805 S. Cottage, Normal, IL

What:
Brian “Fox” Ellis will lead this participatory presentation, which explores ways to restore your yard, focusing on the relationships between native plants, birds, bees and butterflies, going beyond the typical pollinator garden to first research and then replant the larger native ecosystem. Then using your yard as a beacon for broader change. We will map successful strategies for restoring your neighborhood, and the broader community, working with partners who share your passion, Wild Ones, the Native Plant Society, Master Gardeners, and Bird City advocates.

Because of recent moves, Brian “Fox” Ellis, has transformed three communities, planted 12,000 trees, landscaped several schools, businesses, and a hospital grounds, creating wildlife corridors and an eBird Hotspot. Fox is currently managing Illinois Audubon Society’s Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary Certification program with the goal of restoring communities across the state.

This program is sponsored by the Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones and the Grand Prairie Bird Alliance.

See more green events at https://buff.ly/JfxWsYe

10/15/2026

Got household hazardous waste piling up? If you missed our HHW event this past August, be sure to check out the upcoming HHW event in Decatur. Next Saturday, October 24, bring your cleaning products, batteries, gasoline, and more for proper disposal. Learn more & sign up at: https://buff.ly/xPbm4je

10/15/2026

Join the Ecology Action Center for a FREE Sensible Salting Workshop on October 22 from 8:00-3:00pm. Registration is required at https://buff.ly/3GZlLGj
Municipal workers, snow removal/salting contractors, property owners, and concerned community members to learn about:
-The impacts of chloride pollution on local waterways
-Best management practices for winter salting
-Ways to maintain safe roads, parking lots, and sidewalks while reducing salt use
-Strategies to protect our water, infrastructure, and community

10/14/2026

This , brings you another leaf management strategy! Adding your leaves to your backyard compost pile is a great way to both keep your yard looking tidy AND create some nutrient rich fertilizer! To learn more about getting started with composting, visit https://CompostBN.org. Make sure to check back next week to lean about another leaf management strategy.

10/13/2026

https://pantagraph.com/news/community/article_8cfdfab9-879d-59b9-a135-e667f19bf2a0.html

Workshop on sensible salting covers chloride pollution in McLean County, best practices for winter maintenance, and breakout sessions for different audiences.

10/12/2026

According to the National Waste and Recycling Association, more than 5,000 fires are started in recycling facilities a year nationwide.

10/12/2026

According to a report from the National Waste & Recycling Association, more than 5,000 fires are estimated to occur annually in recycling facilities nationwide due to improper battery disposal. Now the Ecology Action Center in McLean County is promoting a free battery recycling program.

10/11/2026

Autumn is in full swing, so if you choose to rake your leaves, place them on the curb NOT in the street. This leaves your yard looking tidy and clean while keeping our stormdrains clear of leaves which cause flooding and stormwater runoff. Check back in next for another leaf management option.

10/08/2026

BN Green Events: The birds are heading south! Fortunately for us, many of these fall migrants will stop in our area to rest and refuel. If you’d like to see some of these beautiful birds, join the Grand Prairie Bird Alliance for a bird walk at 8 a.m. Saturday, October 10, at Hidden Creek Park, 100 W. Sycamore, Normal. The walk will be led by local experts and is appropriate for all ages and all skill levels. Learn more events like this occurring in the community at https://buff.ly/JfxWsYe