Henry Eilers, Shoal Creek Volunteer Steward

By Julia Bourque
Henry and Plantain
Henry finds some plantain on the Forest Floor

 

Situated off Interstate 55 in Litchfield, a city of nearly 7,000, is the Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Conservation Area, Shoal Creek Barrens for short.

The Barrens is 266 acres of southern tillplain woodlands and prairie openings, called barrens, with terrain that goes from level flatwoods to very steep ravines and sandstone outcroppings and intermittent streams and waterfalls.  This landscape holds 700 species of plants, ranging from common spring bluebells and fragant summer phlox to the rare white-flowered Buffalo Clover and purple Savanna Blazing Star.  Seventy-one types of butterflies, such as the Ashy Azure and the Swamp Metalmark, and 74 pairs of breeding birds also call this site home.  And, so does Henry Eilers, namesake of the site and president of the Shoal Creek Volunteers.

A 74-year old man who spent one winter clearing 900 sugar maple saplings and who spent nearly 25 years working to convince the City of Litchfield to preserve the Barrens, Henry is the foundation of this natural area and the Shoal Creek Volunteers.  Orginally from Germany, a country of moors and meadows, Henry was fascinated with and quick to learn the diversity of plants in Illinois.

"I have been deeply aware of the natural world, going back to my first childhood memories," Henry said.  "My mother was very familiar with wild flowers and nature in general, and she passed on this love of nature.  Let's say my interest is due to nature and nurture.  My persistence may be due to my business background and the great community and family support I have received."

Shoal Creek Volunteers comprises nearly 60 volunteers from Litchfield and the surrounding counties who put forth about 350 volunteer hours a year at the Barrens and three other surrounding natural areas.  Volunteers focus mainly on restoration through seed collection and dispersal, invasive shrub removal and prescribed burns, but they also have a mission of environmental education and eco-tourism, using the Rotary Nature Trail as an interpreation tool.

This group, with support from the City of Litchfield and the Rotary Club, is the reason why the Barrens have come from old fields and timberland to the wildly diverse 266-acre piece of land it is today.