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Repurposed feed and seed bags have become support for pollinator project

Woman at table with handbags she helped craft

Creativity and passion for the environment have spurred on a group of volunteers who are using polypropylene feed and seed bags to help the Elkhart Pollinator Habitat. University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties, and Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counties have been busy this winter repurposing what was destined for the landfill into useful reusable totes that they are using to raise funds to support the habitat project.

“I was gifted a repurposed plastic birdseed bag and thought I can do that,” shared Master Naturalist Mona Maas. She learned that these bags are difficult to recycle and most of them end up in landfills or oceans. “At the same time, I had been looking for a way to fund the hiring of an assistant for my Master Naturalist project, the Elkhart Pollinator Habitat. I hoped perhaps this could be it!”

“My Master Naturalist training gave me the confidence to develop the Elkhart Pollinator Habitat in 2020. The habitat is well established and a joy to maintain, but I want to see it thrive for a long time. I made a presentation to our Village Board, who supported the concept of my fundraiser with a promise of a $500 matching gift! I presented the Repurpose PP project to my community using Facebook and our community newsletter. I connected with Illinois Audubon Springfield Chapter and the Illinois Native Plant Society Central Chapter to share about the project and get help collecting bags. I asked friends who have chickens, and the bags started coming in, ultimately totaling more than 300,” shared Maas.

Maas coordinated a group of 10 Master Naturalists from the two Extension units for six full days of cleaning, cutting, folding, and sewing. Even after the project workdays, local MN Cindy Intravartolo and sister Diane continued the PP bags process at home in Fulton County. Intravartolo has been collecting feed bags from Wildlife Prairie Park where she volunteers and does the whole bag-making process herself.

As the season changes and Maas and her Master Naturalist friends return to their outdoor projects, they are hoping to find others who can continue the bag repurposing project.

“It didn’t take us long to learn how to quickly churn out the bags,” Maas explained. “So far we have completed more than 225. Now we are working to get the word out and involve the community! These bags will be available during the Elkhart Wildflower Walks in April.”

For more information about repurposing feed and seed bags, contact ag and natural resources Extension program coordinator Christine Belless.

PHOTO CAPTION

Extension Master Naturalist Cindy Intravartolo from Fulton County, joined a group of EMNs who have collected and repurposed feed and seed bags into reusable totes. The group is using the repurposed totes to raise funds to support the Elkhart Pollinator Habitat.

 

MEET THE AUTHOR

Christine Belless earned her B.A. Ed/History & Psychology from Western Illinois University. Christine began her Extension career as a Fulton County SNAP-Ed instructor in 1994. From 2005-2012, she was the Mason County 4-H Program Coordinator. In 2012, she transitioned to her current position as Ag & Natural Resource Program Coordinator for Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell Counties.

Christine coordinates logistics and volunteers for commercial agriculture and natural resource programs. She works closely with 90 Extension Master Naturalists as they deliver educational programs, complete continuing education, and work with our partners on projects such as restoration of natural areas and environmental stewardship events. As a trained facilitator in Annie’s Project, Christine coordinates the training offered to women in ag and works with state commercial ag educators for programs held locally.

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