Henry Eilers Shoal Creek Conservation Area

04/18/2026

Henry Eilers made note of over 700 species in the conservation area at Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield Illinois. Now is the time to catch a glimpse those native plants waking up in this spring weather. Can you identify these?

12/22/2025

The lake superintendent spotted a bevy of swans this morning. It’s hard to tell if these are Trumpeter Swans or Tundra Swans. Also using the lake as a migration stopover site are Snow Geese, Canadian Geese and a few Blue Herons. There has also been a rare sighting of Brant Geese. With warmer weather forecasted for the next week, it’s a great time to get out with your binoculars and see what kinds of waterfowl visit the lake.

11/10/2025

The Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichiodes) is on Henry Eilers' list of vascular plants found in the conservation area. The Missouri Botanical Garden recently posted a great article on it. This photo is from 2024.
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/sustainability/sustainability/biodiversecity-st-louis #18456

07/30/2025

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) is an excellent program and there is still time to register for the Sept. 12-14 event.

07/16/2025

Don't miss our summer wildflower walk. Led by Ken Schaal and others. Refreshments after walk.

05/05/2025

As you may know, Henry Eilers is one of Illinois Conservation Foundation's Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductees, and our community couldn't be more proud. We are forever grateful for his hard work and contributions to conservation in this area. Here is his bio produced by the foundation.

Class of 2024 inductee Henry Eilers was welcomed to the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame at the 2025 ICF Outdoor Hall of Fame Gala.Henry Eilers was a pioneering...

04/07/2025

A wildflower walk is a great way to learn about our area's spectacular native species. In the springtime, the woodland wildflowers put on a show that is just as beautiful as the turning of the leaves in the autumn.

Mark your calendar.

02/28/2025

An online article about the 2024 inductees into the Illinois Conservation Foundation's Outdoor Hall of Fame which includes the Shoal Creek Conservation Area's namesake, Henry Eilers.

Press Releases

01/12/2025

The presenter, Matt Hayes, has a PhD and is a highly respected and experienced avian biologist.

REMINDER: “Woodpeckers of Illinois” will be presented live via Zoom on Sunday, January 12th at 1:00 p.m. You can connect to this program on your internet browser using the link below. No registration, password or app download required.

Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7657996665?pwd=VHBXWW5JRlRWS1RJaVVHN0M2dHZQZz09&omn=87116776926

Meeting ID: 765 799 6665
Passcode: 1897

Program Description: There are seven woodpecker species found in Illinois. We see many of them in our backyards throughout the year while some are only present during the breeding season. How well do we know these familiar birds? This presentation focuses on the biology and ecology of woodpeckers as a group and focuses on the seven, formerly eight, species regularly observed in Illinois.

About our Presenter: Matt Hayes, PhD is the Assistant Director of the Illinois Audubon Society with over 20 years experience as an avian biologist working with cranes, plovers, and songbirds. He has studied population dynamics, behavior, and mating systems and has taught courses at the collegiate level.

Photo: Bill Ludemann