The 4-H Memorial Camp serves as a youth camp and retreat center seeing thousands of guests from across the state every year (6000 in 2024). The forest located on the property has seen less and less use due to invasive species, overgrown trails, and tree diseases and pests destroying whole sections. After 70 years of growth and change, we knew it was time for changes to be made to provide learning opportunities, including hands on education, for Illinois youth and adults.
To increase the use and access of the forest, we rented a skid steer, utilized staff and volunteer help and camp equipment to clear the overgrown fire trails and overgrown forests. We removed invasive species and downed trees on approximately 8 acres of forest.
Austin Barger, a local Scout working on his Eagle Scout badge, planned and built a nature trail in the camp forest. Austin worked with local forestry professionals and Extension Staff to identify the locations of stopping points and what information can be shared there. He held fund raising events for materials, recruited volunteers, and held workdays. A sign was designed and routed out by the Monticello High School shop teacher. The 1.2-mile trail has 12 stops with a pamphlet designed by Austin describing the topic for each stop.
Opening of previous fire trails have allowed us to expand the areas of controlled/prescribed burns. As part of this project, we performed controlled burns on 12.4 acres of the camp forest.
We have had many school groups here at camp already this spring who have utilized this new nature trail as part of their field day retreats. The freshly cleared areas, well defined trails, and educational points of interest make it very user friendly, allowing it to be led by one of our staff/volunteers or a group on their own with an adult leading them. Use of the nature trail, as well as the newly reopened fire trails, will be woven into our outdoor education programming for this summer and years to come as it clearly shows what forest management can do to improve the overall health of our forested areas.
