Beall Woods State Park will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its old-growth forest being dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve on Sunday, September 13th.
The celebration will run from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Beall Woods State Park Visitors Center, located at 9285 Beall Woods Avenue near Mt. Carmel. In 1966, 329 acres of old-growth forest at Beall Woods became the 14th Illinois Nature Preserve.
The afternoon will begin with remarks from representatives of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. State Senator Terri Bryant will present a resolution, while author and historian Arthur Pearson will discuss Beall Woods and its place within the Illinois Nature Preserves System.
A cake cutting is scheduled for 1:50 p.m., followed by activities from 2 to 4 p.m.
Visitors can participate in guided hikes focusing on tree identification and forest management, along with programs on the history of Beall Woods and the Coffee Precinct. Educational displays and activities will cover birds, insects, Native American history and agriculture.
The event will also share stories from families with connections to the property before it became a state park.
Lunch will be provided by Wabash Valley, and the public is invited to attend the anniversary celebration.
Introduction and Talks
1:00-1:10 pm | Welcome and Remarks from Calvin Beckmann, IDNR Office of Land
Management
1:10-1:20 pm | Remarks from Chris Evans, Illinois Nature Preserves Commissioner
1:20-1:30 pm | Remarks and Presentation of Resolution from Senator Terri Bryant
1:30-1:45 pm | Remarks from Arthur Pearson, Author and Historian, on Beall Woods within
the Illinois Nature Preserves System
1:45-1:50 pm | Remarks from Chris Hespen, IDNR Office of Land Management
Celebration
1:50-2:00 pm | Cake cutting
Afternoon Activities
2:00-4:00 pm
Self-guided Hike
Educational Tables and Craft activities
Birds – Bob Shelby
Insects – Brooke Hubbard
Corn sensory pit and leaf rubbings – Edwards County and Wabash County
Farm Bureaus
Native American History – Groff Memorial Library & Museum
Tree cookie craft – Beall Woods Staff
2:00-2:45 pm
Beall Woods Before the State Park with Duane Esarey (Nature Center)
Tree ID Hike with Taryn Bieri
Forest Management Hike with Bob Edgin
3:00-3:45 pm
History of Coffee Precinct with Claudia Dant (Nature Center)
Tree ID Hike with Taryn Bieri
Forest Management Hike with Bob Edgin