The Ecology Action Center’s Tree Corps and West Bloomington Free Tree programs:
The Ecology Action Center’s Tree Corps programming started in 2021 on the 50th anniversary of the organization’s founding. With the goal of planting 10,000 trees every year, the Tree Corps advances our mission by improving air quality, sequestering carbon, and prioritizing community health. So far we have partnered with other local organizations, businesses, schools, residents, churches, and municipalities to get trees planted all over McLean County.
Free Tree Program:
As part of the Tree Corps initiative, the Ecology Action Center provides free native tree saplings to income-qualifying residents of West Bloomington.
Regular Greenhouse Gas Inventories:
A greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory is a comprehensive report of all GHG emissions and removals by different sectors in an area over a period of time. Conducting regular greenhouse gas emission inventories allows our community to be better informed about its energy usage and resulting impact on air quality and allows us to monitor and track our contribution to global warming. They can serve as a guide to developing cost-effective strategies for reducing climate-changing greenhouse gases, conserving energy, saving money, and preserving valuable natural resources.
The Ecology Action Center has completed two GHG inventories. The first, completed in 2014, uses baseline data from 2008 for both Bloomington and Normal from the community sector and the local government operations sector. In 2023, a second inventory was completed using data from 2015 to compare to the baseline data, showing changes in emissions over time. Both reports are available below.
See how emissions have changed from 2008-2015 in both Community Scale and Local Government Operations.
Bloomington-Normal Community Energy Strategic Plan:
The Bloomington-Normal Community Energy Strategic Plan (BN-CESP) will build on the existing GHG inventories and will provide a roadmap to enhance energy efficiency within the community. The plan will outline specific energy goals and strategies aimed at reducing GHG emissions, while prioritizing areas that need greater efficiency. The plan will involve a diverse group of stakeholders including community members, local businesses, and government officials, to gather input and develop ideas that ensure broad support. Ultimately, the BN-CESP will help the community save energy and money, reduce GHG emissions, and improve air quality.
