Turning The Page On A Trail Restoration

A view from a park bench along the woodland trail at Eagle Nature Trail.

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When I took my first wander through the Eagle Nature Trail I was impressed with the small community preserve. It resides behind the Alice Baker Memorial Library, and the trail leads the way to Eagle Elementary School.  After my first afternoon on the trail, I stopped in to the library to see if there was any information available about it.  As luck would have it, I spoke with Alli Chase, Library Director, and she filled me in on the history of the trail, and to how the local community came together to turn a dumping ground into native prairie and prime natural habitat for humans and animals alike.

A welcome sign to the Eagle Nature Trail.

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Author Laurie Lawlor with a copy of RESTORING: Prairie, Woods, and Pond. How A Small Trail Can Make A Big Difference.

Since that first day, I've been back several times. To celebrate the addition of a kaleidoscope art installation, take a nature journal writing workshop with author Laurie Lawlor, and, recently, to celebrate the publishing release of Laurie Lawlor's book on the true story of how the trail came to be–RESTORING: Prairie, Woods, and Pond. How A Small Trail Can Make A Big Difference.  

Laurie Lawlor, author, and Dawn-Marie Staccia, photographer, signed books at the event.

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The event was well attended, and Laurie's reading of one of her favorite sections of the book was captivating. Dawn-Marie Staccia, a local photographer whose photos appear throughout the book, joined Laurie to personally sign copies.

​The book, written for children 10-14 years of age (and naturalists of any age), explores the history of the area as far back as the glacial age onward, and tells the tale of restoration from the beginning to current days. Along the way Lawlor  introduces the many local residents, including teachers and school children, who played a large part in the restoration. 

The trail serves as an outdoor classroom for students of the school, and the children are eager to participate in weed pulls, and planting of new plants and trees.

​Their discoveries of local wildlife include frogs, salamanders, and deer. They also enjoy snacking on the tasty wild raspberries that grow along the edge of the woods.

Laurie Lawlor reads a favorite excerpt from her new book about the Eagle Nature Trail.

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Students from Eagle Elementary School participate in planting projects along the trail and woodlands.

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Wild raspberries are a tasty treat along the Eagle Nature Trail.

​Lawlor expressed in her talk how important local community projects like the Eagle Nature Trail are, particularly in this time of climate change. Collectively working for change that benefits the natural environment is good for us all, humans and wildlife.

​Working together locally we can see the differences first-hand, enjoy the beauty of our surroundings, and taste the fruits of our labor - like wild raspberries.

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Native wild lupine is a spring bloomer in the prairie along the Eagle Nature Trail.

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"Native plants have been around for thousands of years. They require very little care because they take care of themselves."
                               - Jean Weedman

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Copies of the book were for sale at the event, with a portion of the proceeds going towards the upkeep and ongoing projects of the trail. One recent project was adding signposts to the entrance of the woodland walking trail.

Those purchasing a copy of the book also received a packet of native plant seeds from the Prairie Moon Nursery, for creating their own pollinator garden, and the opportunity to speak with both Laurie and Dawn while having their books signed.

A new signpost directs you to the entrance of the woodland walk along the trail.

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Attendees holding their signed copies of the new book.

Community members line up to meet Laurie and Dawn-Marie, and to purchase signed copies of the book.

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Copies of RESTORING: Prairie, Woods, and Pond. How A Small Trail Can Make A Big Difference can be purchased from local booksellers, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

"Nature is a powerful healing tool, if we look for it."

The Eagle Nature Trail is located next to the Alice Baker Memorial Library at 820 E. Main Street, in Eagle. The trail is open to the public daily.

A bench with a view along the woodland trail.

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All photos in this feature by: Kimberly Mackowski / TheParkNextDoor