The Ecology Action Center (EAC) is a left-of-center environmental activist group that works in Bloomington, Normal, and McClean County, Illinois. It was originally founded to facilitate local recycling programs, but gradually expanded to include environmental education programs, shifting to focus on education alone following the adoption of municipal recycling programs. EAC works to track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the communities in which it operates. ^{1 2}

Background

The Ecology Action Center began in 1971 as Operation Recycle at Illinois University as a recycling drive organized by biology professor Derek McCracken. After the initial success of what was meant to be a one-time drive, the group decided to organize regular weekly recycling drives. In 1982, the group was formally founded as the Mid-Central Illinois Operation Recycle, with employees and resources to administer a regional recycling program. It was funded in part by Community Action, which had received a grant from the Illinois state government. It became tax-exempt in 1985. ¹

In 1994, the group acquired and renovated a building for use as an environmental education center, and in 1995, when it opened, the group became known as the Ecology Action Center, although its name would not be legally changed until 2004. In the late 1990s, municipalities in the area in which the EAC operated began municipal recycling collection, at which time the EAC stopped its recycling operations and began to focus on environmental and recycling education programs. ¹

Finances

According to its 2023 990 form, the Ecology Action Center reported $615,909 in revenue, of which $362,052 stemmed from contributions and grants and $291,275 came from program service revenue. It lost $48,440 on its investments. It had $701,995 in expenses, of which $350,445 was spent on salaries and compensation. It ended the year with total assets of $653,227. ³

The EAC received $158,822 in grants from governments. It notes that it receives funding from four different service agreements with government entities, including the City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Water Reclamation District. ⁴

Activities

The Ecology Action Center holds left-of-center positions on environmental issues, specifically its policy stances on climate change and emissions issues. It works to reduce local emissions and previously conducted emissions audits to track and help reduce emissions in the areas of Illinois in which it works. ^{5 2}

EAC administers a variety of environmental educational programs focused on promoting recycling, environmental policies meant to reduce pollution and emissions, and the planting of trees. The EAC works with several local governments in Illinois on environmental programs. ⁵

Leadership

Michael Brown is the executive director of the Ecology Action Center, a position he has held since 2007. He has worked in the environmental field for 30 years in a variety of areas, including in Bulgaria in the U.S. Peace Corps and various parks and institutions in Illinois. ⁶

1. “History.” Ecology Action Center. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://ecologyactioncenter.org/about/history/.
2. “Greenhouse Gas Inventory.” Ecology Action Center. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://ecologyactioncenter.org/greenhouse-gas-inventory/.
3. Ecology Action Center. Return from an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990). 2023, Part I.
4. Ecology Action Center. Return from an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990). 2023, Part IX.
5. “About.” Ecology Action Center. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://ecologyactioncenter.org/about/.
6. “Meet Our Staff.” Ecology Action Center. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://ecologyactioncenter.org/about/meet-our-staff/.