Recognition
- We are happy to announce a book about the trail! Restoring Prairie, Woods and Pond: How a Small Trail Can Make a Big Difference by Laurie Lawlor, Holiday House, New York, 2023. Available in Alice Baker Library and on Amazon.
- The Eagle Nature Trail was selected as the 2014 recipient of the Virginia M. Kline Award for Excellence in Community-Based Restoration, a program administered by the Friends of the UW-Madison Arboretum and the Aldo Leopold Foundation.
History
Begun in the fall of 2009 by two Alice Baker Library board members, David Traver and Dr. Frank Nardine, serious trail work did not begin until organizational meetings in early 2010. A mission statement and goals were established. The clearing of buckthorn for the prairie area and trail occurred in the summer of 2010, with the traffic bond for the foot path installed in time for the school year. In November of 2010, a $7000 grant from the Home Depot Foundation and the donation of a day’s work from 40+ members of the Home Depot team provided the trail and community with many wooden structures to enjoy: a circular tree bench, an outdoor amphitheater/classroom, a boardwalk to the pond, and five Aldo Leopold benches.
The Trail: Prairie, Woods, and Pond
With the inspiration to provide a walking trail from Eagle Elementary School to the Alice Baker Memorial Library, we have evolved into a working restoration of the land between the school and the library.
- Prairie: The prairie area was cleared and graded in 2009 and 2010 and planted in 2011 with a donation of seed from Agrecol Corp. native plant nursery. The main path was laid in 2010. Fighting invasives–garlic mustard, Queen Anne’s lace, giant ragweed, Canada thistle–has been a long process.
- Woods: Continued clearing of buckthorn in the wooded area by volunteers and contractors in 2021 allowed us to envision a woodland trail. By 2023 the Woodland Walk signage was installed, and mulch provided the walking area. We continue to clear buckthorn and other non-native plants.
- Pond: The ephemeral pond is an important seasonal asset for the critters of the trail. We hire contractors to fight reed canary grass. We plant native shrubs to protect the pond edges and native plants near the pond to provide food for its many visitors.
A Place for Critters and People
As a place for wildlife and people, we are happy to be part of the National Wildlife Federation’s habitat program. Recent sightings/hearings include turkey, ducks, bluebirds, dragonflies, butterflies, frogs and toads.
Providing habitat for the critters, the prairie — on both sides of the trail — should be fuller and stronger each year. The area was planted in June of 2011 and was slow to start because of two very hot and dry summers. We are proud of the diversity of plants that have evolved and offer their food/seeds and habitat protections.
We are also part of the Wild for Monarchs campaign to conserve the monarch butterfly migration. Eagle Elementary School students participated in our Annual Milkweed Pod Throws for 8 years which helped to plant the milkweed that monarchs need.
In spring or early summer each year, the students have also planted native plant plugs. The plants have been provided by several grants: a Seeds for Education Grant–provided by Wild Ones, and The Go Outside Fund–provided by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, by the Eagle Nature Trail Committee and by private donors.
Please look for our seven World Trade Center swamp white oak trees inside protective cages. They were donated by Phil Hall and the Eagle Lion’s Club. A school-wide assembly presented the trees as a way to honor the people who were tragically affected by the events at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. In remembrance, the trees are caged and have signage.
Location
The trail is located between Eagle Elementary School and the Alice Baker Memorial Library. Start your walk from either the school’s visitor parking lot or the Eagle Municipal Building’s parking lot.
Vision and Mission
Eagle Nature Trail’s mission is to achieve an environmentally-friendly connection between the Eagle Elementary School and the Alice Baker Memorial Library, linking two institutions of knowledge and learning. It provides volunteer opportunities and educational experiences to the citizens and children of Eagle and surrounding communities.
Community Volunteers
We continue to be appreciative of the donated hours from organizations like the local Boy Scout troops, Palmyra-Eagle High School National Honor Society and the Eagle Lion’s Club and many individual community members.
Volunteers are always welcome!
The Eagle Nature Trail is an all-volunteer, community effort … join us! We regularly hold work days–ranging from 1-2 hours long–to focus efforts on a particular project.
Committee Meetings
Do you have suggestions for us? Would you like to help guide our work?
We meet on the third Monday of each month, except December. Meeting at 4 p.m. in the small conference room of the Eagle Municipal Building, we welcome everyone to attend our meetings. Watch for posted agendas in the library or village office areas.