The Ecology Action Center invites local residents to attend its 15th annual Yard Smart Garden Walk on Saturday, June 24, 2017. This free event features beautiful and functional gardens in our community that protect the environment, create a healthy and inviting space for people and animals, and use little or no synthetic chemicals.
The morning walk takes place from 9:00 am â 12:00 p.m. This yearâs event focuses on smaller urban gardens that pack a lot of punch. Come see insect homes, large rain barrels, and urban agriculture at work, and see how small spaces can have a big impact. After the garden tour, join us for lunch and a presentation by Krista Kirkham with The Nature Conservancy about local water issues in McLean County and methods for water and watershed conservation. The EAC encourages participants to carpool to meet-up point and during the tour to reduce pollution and conserve energy.
As in the past, this event includes a McLean County Freecycle plant and garden tool exchange. The EAC encourages participants to donate and take away garden tools and/or labelled, potted plants at the free exchange.
The Yard Smart Garden Walk is free and open to the public; however, a $5 donation to offset the cost of lunch is appreciated. Water will be provided, and participants should bring their own reusable water bottles. The lunch is a zero waste event. Registration is available online at ecologyactioncenter.org or over the phone at 309-454-3169 x.15; please RSVP by June 20.
The garden walk promotes the Ecology Action Centerâs Yard Smart program, which encourages local gardeners to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, to conserve natural resources such as water and fossil fuels, and to make room for wildlife in their yards. Yard Smart Certification recognizes the efforts of those in the community who use ecologically sustainable practices to maintain their yards, and who realize their lawn, garden, and landscaping decisions affect the health of the entire community.
More information on the Yard Smart program as well as a set of free resource fact sheets is available at yardsmart.org.
The Ecology Action Center is a not-for-profit environmental agency with a mission to inspire and assist residents of McLean County in creating, strengthening and preserving a healthy environment. The EAC acts as a central resource for environmental education, information, outreach, and technical assistance in McLean County.
