McLean County

Merwin Nature Preserve workdays: (ParkLands Foundation)

2008 Workday and Activity Schedule:

West Gate Location
February 9 - Savanna Tree Thinning at 9 AM, contact Roger Anderson at (309) 452-5728
February 23 - Woody Plant Removal at 9 AM, contact Jason Shoemaker at (309) 531-7065
March 1 - Prescribed Burn - south savanna (alternate date is March 8) at Noon, contact Jason Shoemaker at (309) 531-7065
March 15 - Prescribed Burn - north savanna (alternate date is March 22) at Noon, contact Jason Shoemaker at (309) 531-7065
May 4 - Wildflower Walk at 1 PM, contact Roger Anderson at (309) 452-5728
July 19 - Trail Maintenance at 9 AM, contact Jason Shoemaker at (309) 531-7065
July 26 - Trail Maintenance at 9 AM, contact Jason Shoemaker at (309) 531-7065

West Side of Prairie
June 14 - Clover and Wild Parsnip control at 9 AM, contact Jason Shoemaker at (309) 531-7065

South Gate Location
April 13 - Wildflower Walk at 1 PM, contact Dale Birkenholz at (309) 452-8086
April 19 - Garlic Mustard Control at 9 AM, contact Jason Shoemaker at (309) 531-7065
April 26 - Garlic Mustard Control at 9 AM, contact Mary Horgan at (309) 527-5636
June 7 - Autumn Olive Removal at 9 AM, contact Jason Shoemaker at (309) 531-7065

Gas Well Parking Lot
March 22 - Prescribed Burn, grass pasture at Noon, contact Jason Shoemaker at (309) 531-7065
June 28 - Build Boardwalk, Lantz Trail at 9 AM, contact Dale Birkenholz at (309) 452-8086

Cayuga Ridge Seed Collection
September 27 - Seed Collection. Meet at the BP Gas Station, Lexington I-55 Exit at 9 AM, contact Mary Horgan at (309) 527-5636
October 18 - Seed Collection. Meet at the BP Gas Station, Lexington I-55 Exit at 9 AM, contact Jason Shoemaker at (309) 531-7065

Bloomington Parks Maintenance Building - Seed Cleaning
December 4 and 5 - Seed Cleaning at 9 AM, contact Jason Shoemaker at (309) 531-7065

For directions and other information on the above workdays, contact Jason Shoemaker, land steward (309) 531-7065 or shoemaj@hotmail.com or visit their website at www.parklandsfoundation.org.

Funks Grove Stewardship workdays:
Winter 2008: February 9 and 23 from 9 - 11 AM.
Funks Grove is the largest remaining intact prairie grove in the state of Illinois. It is a dedicated National Natural Landmark consisting of over 1200 acres of forest and prairie. Don Schmidt, the "Dean of Green", leads a faithful group of volunteers in a variety of stewardship activities every other Saturday throughout the year. Join the group on a regular basis or stop out on occasion. No registration required.
For a map and directions, please call Sugar Grove Nature Center at (309) 874-2174 or visit www.sugargrovenaturecenter.org