Grow Solar BN 2026 Power Hour @ Keg Grove Brewery

Grow Solar BN is back for 2026! A partnership between the Ecology Action Center and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, Grow Solar is a group buy program to discount the cost of rooftop solar panels for homeowners in McLean County. Join us for our inaugural Power ......More

Grow Solar BN is back for 2026! A partnership between the Ecology Action Center and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, Grow Solar is a group buy program to discount the cost of rooftop solar panels for homeowners in McLean County. Join us for our inaugural Power Hour presentation at Keg Grove Brewery in Bloomington to find out more about the program, how solar works, available incentives, and whether solar is the right fit for you. Space is limited, so register today at the website link below!

Keg Grove Brewing Company, 712 East Empire St, Bloomington, 61701, United States

Backyard Composting Workshop: Thursday, May 14, 2026 (5:30-6:30pm)

The EAC’s compost workshop will cover the basics of backyard composting. You’ll learn basic techniques to build your compost pile, discuss what materials to include, and talk about what to do with compostable materials that don’t work in a backyard setting. This worksho......More

The EAC’s compost workshop will cover the basics of backyard composting. You’ll learn basic techniques to build your compost pile, discuss what materials to include, and talk about what to do with compostable materials that don’t work in a backyard setting. This workshop will additionally help participants understand how to monitor and maintain their compost, as well as how to know when their compost is done and safe to use! Our educators will provide resources for help identifying jumping worms, and tips for using your compost bin, thermometer, and stirrer to keep them at bay. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a sound understanding of the individual and community benefits of composting, and can be confident about next steps to set up and monitor compost in their own backyard. For $35 ($25 for EAC members) attendees get backyard composting best practices information and a basic compost bin from a repurposed 55-gallon drum to take home. For $110, attendees get this same compost bin, backyard composting best practices information, a large thermometer to monitor compost pile temperature, and an aerator for stirring their compost pile. *Workshop registration closes 3 days before the workshop.* The Ecology Action Center will make reasonable accommodations for participation in public programs and services. To request accommodation, please call 309-454-3169×11 or go to ecologyactioncenter.org/accommodation. Please provide two weeks advance notice if possible.

Planting hydrangeas at The Bridge

The Bloomington Normal Garden Club Community Projects Committee, headed by Chris Kraft, is helping create gardens at the new community known as The Bridge on Oakland Ave. On May 15th from 9:00-11:00am volunteers will be planting the 20 hydrangeas purchased by the club t......More

The Bloomington Normal Garden Club Community Projects Committee, headed by Chris Kraft, is helping create gardens at the new community known as The Bridge on Oakland Ave. On May 15th from 9:00-11:00am volunteers will be planting the 20 hydrangeas purchased by the club to be placed on the outside of the westside fence. They could use your help getting all these bushes in the ground. If you can help, please bring your own shovel/gloves/garden tools. The Bridge is located directly across from the old YMCA building at 104 E Oakland Ave, Bloomington IL 61701. Please park in that parking lot and cross the street (carefully) to the Bridge property. Sign up required at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E094FA4AA5-64031692-planting 

Tree Planting Workday: May 16, 2026 (Multiple Shifts)

Help the Ecology Action Center plant small (1-3 ft tall) bareroot seedling trees to improve air quality, sequester carbon, increase wildlife habitat, and more! Volunteers must be 18 or older. Tools and heavy equipment will be in use and all volunteers must be able to sa......More

Help the Ecology Action Center plant small (1-3 ft tall) bareroot seedling trees to improve air quality, sequester carbon, increase wildlife habitat, and more! Volunteers must be 18 or older. Tools and heavy equipment will be in use and all volunteers must be able to safely use hand tools, stay on their feet for 3 hours at a time and lift a moderate weight (~15 pounds). Please dress appropriately for weather conditions and working outside. Long pants and closed-toed shoes or boots are required no sandals or flip-flops. More information as well as a confirmation email will be communicated to volunteers prior to the workday and NOT at sign up.

Sugar Creek Stewards Workday

Come join us for our May workday along Sugar Creek! We need help improving Sugar Creek in designated areas throughout Bloomington and Normal, by clearing invasive plant species and managing the non-invasive plants. Volunteers must be 18 years old or older (or 14 and acc......More

Come join us for our May workday along Sugar Creek! We need help improving Sugar Creek in designated areas throughout Bloomington and Normal, by clearing invasive plant species and managing the non-invasive plants. Volunteers must be 18 years old or older (or 14 and accompanied by a parent or guardian) and be able to hike along uneven terrain and safely use basic hand tools such as loppers and bow saws. The Sugar Creek Stewards is part of the Ecology Action Center’s Clean Water programming, and is supported by the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District, the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal. For more information, contact us.

Tree Planting Workday: May 17, 2026 (Multiple Shifts)

Help the Ecology Action Center plant small (1-3 ft tall) bareroot seedling trees to improve air quality, sequester carbon, increase wildlife habitat, and more! Volunteers must be 18 or older. Tools and heavy equipment will be in use and all volunteers must be able to sa......More

Help the Ecology Action Center plant small (1-3 ft tall) bareroot seedling trees to improve air quality, sequester carbon, increase wildlife habitat, and more! Volunteers must be 18 or older. Tools and heavy equipment will be in use and all volunteers must be able to safely use hand tools, stay on their feet for 3 hours at a time and lift a moderate weight (~15 pounds). Please dress appropriately for weather conditions and working outside. Long pants and closed-toed shoes or boots are required no sandals or flip-flops. More information as well as a confirmation email will be communicated to volunteers prior to the workday and NOT at sign up.

Grand Prairie Bird Alliance Queer Bird Outing

Birder or not, queer or ally, doesn’t matter — all are welcome on the May 17 bird walk! The outing will be co-led by Ani Fox, a member of the local Grand Prairie Bird Alliance, and Michael Retter, editor of North American Birds (American Birding Association) and leader ......More

Birder or not, queer or ally, doesn’t matter — all are welcome on the May 17 bird walk! The outing will be co-led by Ani Fox, a member of the local Grand Prairie Bird Alliance, and Michael Retter, editor of North American Birds (American Birding Association) and leader of the Queer Birders of North America. We want all of our bird outings to be welcoming, but this walk is intentionally celebrating our queer birding community members and LGBTQ+ allies. Please meet at Ewing II park on May 17 for a two hour walk starting at 8:00am.

Ewing Park II, 1001 Ethell Parkway, Bloomington, 61701

Rain Barrel Workshop: Sunday, May 17, 2026 (12:00-1:00pm)

The EAC’s rain barrel workshops teach attendees about the importance of rain water catchment in preventing storm water runoff pollution! Attendees will learn how to locate, install, and set up their rain barrel. We’ll also provide tips to transition downspouts for rain ......More

The EAC’s rain barrel workshops teach attendees about the importance of rain water catchment in preventing storm water runoff pollution! Attendees will learn how to locate, install, and set up their rain barrel. We’ll also provide tips to transition downspouts for rain barrel usage, and information on proper winter storage. Workshops cost $60.00 for general public and $50.00 for EAC Members. Throughout our workshop there will be ample opportunity for Q&A with EAC staff, who can answer questions about beneficial environmental impacts as well as practical everyday use of rain barrels. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a sound understanding of the individual and community benefits of having a rain barrel, and can be confident about next steps to install, use and care for one. Participants will leave with their very own rain barrel made from a repurposed food-grade 55 gallon drum. *Workshop registration closes 3 days before the workshop start date.* The Ecology Action Center will make reasonable accommodations for participation in public programs and services. To request accommodation, please call 309-454-3169×11 or go to ecologyactioncenter.org/accommodation. Please provide two weeks advance notice if possible.

Backyard Composting Workshop: Sunday, May 17, 2026 (1:30-2:30pm)

The EAC’s compost workshop will cover the basics of backyard composting. You’ll learn basic techniques to build your compost pile, discuss what materials to include, and talk about what to do with compostable materials that don’t work in a backyard setting. This worksho......More

The EAC’s compost workshop will cover the basics of backyard composting. You’ll learn basic techniques to build your compost pile, discuss what materials to include, and talk about what to do with compostable materials that don’t work in a backyard setting. This workshop will additionally help participants understand how to monitor and maintain their compost, as well as how to know when their compost is done and safe to use! Our educators will provide resources for help identifying jumping worms, and tips for using your compost bin, thermometer, and stirrer to keep them at bay. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a sound understanding of the individual and community benefits of composting, and can be confident about next steps to set up and monitor compost in their own backyard. For $35 ($25 for EAC members) attendees get backyard composting best practices information and a basic compost bin from a repurposed 55-gallon drum to take home. For $110, attendees get this same compost bin, backyard composting best practices information, a large thermometer to monitor compost pile temperature, and an aerator for stirring their compost pile. *Workshop registration closes 3 days before the workshop.* The Ecology Action Center will make reasonable accommodations for participation in public programs and services. To request accommodation, please call 309-454-3169×11 or go to ecologyactioncenter.org/accommodation. Please provide two weeks advance notice if possible.

Vermicomposting Workshop- Sunday, May 17, 2026 (3:00-4:00pm)

Love to cook and are looking for a way to compost your food scraps, but backyard composting isn’t an option for you? Try Vermicomposting or composting with worms! Vermicomposting is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and stop food waste in your home. No backyar......More

Love to cook and are looking for a way to compost your food scraps, but backyard composting isn’t an option for you? Try Vermicomposting or composting with worms! Vermicomposting is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and stop food waste in your home. No backyard or large area required, so this is perfect for apartments, dorms, etc., plus it is basically odorless! The Workshop costs $35.00 to participate and space is limited. Workshop fee includes all materials including worms, worm bedding, a bin to host your worm farm, and all the knowledge you need to start vermicomposting. We will specifically be going over the benefits of vermicomposting, how to start, how to harvest castings, and how to troubleshoot common problems. Registration is required and closes one week before workshop date. The Ecology Action Center will make reasonable accommodations for participation in public programs and services. To request accommodation, please call 309-454-3169×11 or go to ecologyactioncenter.org/accommodation. Please provide two weeks advance notice if possible.

Summer Program Prep Volunteering: May 19, 2026 (2:00-4:00pm)

With summer on the horizon, the EAC needs help preparing. Volunteers will assist with cutting up T-shirts for a summer children’s program and/or creating pop-tab keychains for a library program. Volunteers must be 18 years or older, or 13+ with a parent or guardian pres......More

With summer on the horizon, the EAC needs help preparing. Volunteers will assist with cutting up T-shirts for a summer children’s program and/or creating pop-tab keychains for a library program. Volunteers must be 18 years or older, or 13+ with a parent or guardian present. This volunteer event takes place in a seated, ADA-compliant setting, making it a great opportunity for individuals with limited mobility.

Ecology Action Center, 202 W College Ave, Normal, IL, 61761, United States