Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

QUINCY, ILL. -- Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Troop 5119 is a Green Heroes Grant Program finalist through Clorox.

Troop members are Katarina Bowles, Nicole Duesdieker, Audrey O'Dear, Mia McNay, Roza Panos and Valya Panos.

The following information can be found at www.facebook.com/greenworks:

Girl Scout Troop 5119 is working to enhance the existing arboretum of John Woods Community College (JWCC) to include interactive educational features targeting community children and youth. Proposed enhancements include an informational kiosk, outdoor stage, benches, nature box cubbies, low trough/table, messy wood area, animal track hop scotch, sand area, stream board/water area, and trail improvements. Currently no outdoor classrooms or educational nature trails are available to the local population. JWCC’s arboretum is accessible year round, located within a mile of Quincy and is available for use by all residents, groups, preschools, and public and private schools.

For the last ten years, Troop 5119 has pursued opportunities to foster a love of conservation and the outdoors in their community. Recently, the troop researched, designed, and delivered the presentation “Indigenous Birds of the Midwest” to 420 individuals in conjunction with a service project distributing bird feeders locally. The expansion and continued support of the JWCC arboretum is an opportunity for Troop 5119 to continue to provide nature education, resources and services to their community. The Troop has engaged community partners in the planning and design of the improvements, securing the support of another local troop to implement enhancements.

Receiving the Green Heroes funding would allow the troop to pair the award with matching funds totaling $6,800 for project implementation. The Green Heroes award would be used to fund the design and purchase of the materials needed to install the enhancements. The troop will distribute promotional and educational materials to the community at large describing the activities, uses, and preservation of the arboretum. The completion of the arboretum enhancements would create a local nature education destination, allowing Troop 5119 to have a positive long-term, sustainable impact on nature and conservation education in their community.

Here's how to vote:

1.  Log onto www.facebook.com/greenworks
2.  Scroll down and click on "Vote for a Hero"
3.  Facebook Login your e-mail address and password
4.  Scroll down and click on "Youth Division" button (if your'e voting for the first time) OR click photo of Girl Scouts of Central Illinois under Youth Division
5.  Click on "Vote" for Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
6.  Scroll to "Thank You for Voting" and "X" out
7.  Repeat every day until April 18 and get your friends to vote