Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial Prairie Maintenance
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial 39.805351, -89.104150, Decatur, IllinoisJuly 30, 2021 from 8:30-11:00 AM, volunteers are needed to spend some time in the prairie area. We need to weed woody plants, thistle and other plants before they form seeds that are not native to the Illinois prairie. We would appreciate any time you can give us at Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial. Thank you for your consideration, Friends of Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial
Things with Wings Mini-BioBlitz
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial 39.805351, -89.104150, Decatur, IllinoisThe first mini-BioBlitz of the season will be held Saturday, May 8, 2021, at 1:00 PM in Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial. ‘Bio’ means ‘life’ and ‘Blitz’ means ‘to do something quickly and intensively’. Together they make ‘BioBlitz’, a collaborative search to discover as many species as possible, within a set location. The park offers an outdoor learning space that is perfect for this fun activity and families and all ages can become scientists as they study the biodiversity at the site of Abraham Lincoln's first home in Illinois. We hope you can join us as we survey all "Things with Wings" and take part in the Illinois State Bird Count within the park. An expert/speaker will speak on the importance of birds and flying insects and will be available to help you identify species found. The iNaturalist program will be explained so that everyone can download the app and use it on their mobile device if they would like. The number of participants is limited to 50 due to COVID19 regulations and masks are required. Send your reservations to Melody2a@hotmail.com. For more information: Melody Arnold- melody2a@hotmail.com
Restoration Work Day–Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial 39.805351, -89.104150, Decatur, IllinoisWe are excited to officially begin our season at the park and there are many jobs that need to be accomplished to make this beautiful area a welcome place to enjoy. We appreciate any amount of help and time you can give. Please wear gloves and bring a mask. Come enjoy the signs of spring, observe the changes in the park that have been made, and meet new friends. .
Native plantings at Lincoln Trail Homestead SP — Help is Needed!!
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial 39.805351, -89.104150, Decatur, IllinoisLincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial will be closing its gate on November 1st. Our greatest wish is that you have enjoyed the park this season and have many happy memories spent there. The park offered a very nice alternative for handling Covid-19. Many improvements were made to improve the park however we have one more project that must be completed before the park closes for the winter. Money from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation's Stewardship Challenge Grant allowed us to purchase 100 native plants to be planted throughout the park. Unfortunately the nursery just delivered the plants at this late date. Due to the lateness of the delivered plants as well as inclement weather, we must work very quickly, before November 1st, to get them planted. This Saturday, October 31st at 9:00 AM, we are meeting at the park to plant these 100 native plants. We really need as many volunteers that can to come to the park and help. If we have plenty of help this project can be quickly accomplished. Please, if you have time, any amount will be appreciated, please consider helping us out. Please contact Melody Arnold at melody2@hotmail.com letting her you can help. Gratefully, Friends of Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial
Tree Plantings at Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial 39.805351, -89.104150, Decatur, Illinois‘Parkway” tree planting this Friday, October 9th, starting at 9:00 AM. Planting in the park will begin at 9:00 AM on Saturday, October 10th Saturday, October 3, was the beginning of a very busy week at Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial. A dedicated group worked Saturday morning removing more bush honeysuckle throughout the park. It was the last Restoration Day of a very successful season of eliminating this invasive plant. This coming Thursday, October 8, 68 trees will be delivered to the park. 20 of the trees will be planted in “islands” along the Lincoln Memorial Parkway. If you recall, two years ago, with the assistance of the Macon County Highway Department, trees were planted along the Parkway. Some of the trees did not survive due to weather and we are going to replace them. Cages have been made to place around all live trees and the Macon County Highway Department is assisting us again by digging the holes for the trees and delivering mulch to be used at the “islands”. We are asking for your help. If you can give any amount of time to help, we would greatly appreciate your assistance. Our plan is to get all the ‘Parkway” trees planted this Friday, October 9th, starting at 9:00 AM. On Saturday, October 10th, we will begin at 9:00 AM planting trees in the park. Please meet at the RailSplitter Pavilion to collect your trees to plant. If you can help us on either Friday or Saturday, please contact Melody Arnold at melody2a@hotmail.com so we can finalize our plans for the plantings. We hope you are taking time to visit the park. The leaves are turning and the park is beautiful. You will be able to see all the improvements that have taken place this season. Remember that the park does close November 1st. We appreciate your consideration to help us this week. A big job will be made easier with many hands. We do ask that you wear a mask as we want all to be safe.
Restoration Work Day – Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial 39.805351, -89.104150, Decatur, IllinoisWe'll be removing bush honeysuckle and general park maintenance. Please wear gloves and a mask. As always, we appreciate any amount of time you can give. There have been so many improvements made with the removal of bush honeysuckle and this will be our last opportunity this year. To the many volunteers who have given their time to improve this beautiful park as the site of Abraham Lincoln’s family first home in Illinois, we are so grateful.
Calling on Volunteers at Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial 39.805351, -89.104150, Decatur, IllinoisWe are so excited that Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial will be opening tomorrow, Friday, May 29, 2020. We have been anxiously waiting for this good news!!! We encourage you to come out and visit the park. It is beautiful and you will be able to see changes from last year with the removal of a lot of honeysuckle. At this time, all scheduled programs and events have been canceled. If there are any changes, you will be notified. The bush honeysuckle in the park is growing rapidly. On June 4, 2020, we will be working in the park to spray, cut, and remove as much of this invasive plant as possible. We are looking for volunteers to help with this task. We will work from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. and would appreciate any time you can give. We are asking everyone to follow the CDC guidelines and wear masks, gloves, and we will practice social distancing. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/visitors.html If you can give any time that day, please let us know by replying to this email. We are limited to the number of volunteers that can help at this time due to CDC guidelines. We look forward to hearing from you and encourage you to come out to the park, make new friends, and help make a difference. Gratefully, Friends of Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial
RESTORATION WORK DAY-Lincoln Homestead State Park
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial 39.805351, -89.104150, Decatur, IllinoisWe are removing bush honeysuckle plus garlic mustard, mulching trails, and cleaning park facilities for the season. Please wear gloves. We appreciate any amount of time you can give. Come enjoy the signs of spring, observe the changes in the park that have been made, and meet new friends.
Owl Prowl
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial 39.805351, -89.104150, Decatur, IllinoisAs we consider the beliefs held by pioneers about owls, we will listen for their eerie calls, learn what they east, understand their silent flight, and learn about their talons. Live owls from the Illinois Raptor Center will be there. Bring your flashlights.
Settlement on the Prairie
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial 39.805351, -89.104150, Decatur, IllinoisJoin us a Dr. Judy Parrish tells stories of some of the hardships early settlers had to face in Central Illinois as they worked to harness the rich prairie soils to start a new life.