About Us

The Eagle Nature Trail is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to provide experiences in nature for the Eagle community. By creating and maintaining a trail that connects the local elementary school to the local library, we offer experiences that provide knowledge about nature and how to care for our natural world.

We continue to create habitat for our native insects and pollinators as well as local wildlife. People can enjoy leisurely walks, quiet discoveries, restful benches, and small gatherings in the natural setting.

The trail is a part of the Mukwonago River watershed in the area of the Southern Kettle Moraine, an area known as the Midwest Oak Ecosystem, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world.

The Trail: Prairie, Woods, Pond

Begun in 2009 with the inspiration to provide a walking trail from Eagle Elementary School to the Alice Baker Memorial Library, we have evolved into a working restoration of the land between the school and the library.

• Prairie–The prairie area was cleared and graded in 2009 and 2010 and planted in 2011 with a donation of seed from Agrecol Corp. native plant nursery. The main path was laid in 2010.  Fighting invasives–garlic mustard, Queen Anne’s lace, giant ragweed, Canada thistle–has been a long process.
• Woods–Continued clearing of buckthorn in the wooded area by volunteers and contractors in 2021 allowed us to envision a woodland trail.  By 2023 the Woodland Walk signage was installed, and mulch provided the walking area. We continue to clear buckthorn and other non-native plants.
• Pond–The ephemeral pond is an important seasonal asset for the critters–dragonflies, frogs, toads. We hire contractors to fight reed canary grass.  We plant native shrubs to protect the pond edges and native plants near the pond to provide food for its many visitors.

For Critters and People

As a place for wildlife and people, we are happy to be part of the National Wildlife Federation’s habitat program.  Recent sightings/hearings include groundhogs, chipmunks, turkey, ducks, bluebirds, dragonflies, deer, fox, butterflies, frogs and toads.

Providing habitat for the critters, the prairie — on both sides of the trail — should be fuller and stronger each year.  The area was planted in June of 2011 and was slow to start because of two very hot and dry summers. We are proud of the diversity of plants that have evolved and offer their food/seeds and habitat protections.

We are also part of the Wild for Monarchs campaign to conserve the monarch butterfly migration.  Eagle Elementary School students participated in our Annual Milkweed Pod Throws for 8 years which helped to plant the milkweed that monarchs need. 

In spring or early summer each year, the students have also planted native plant plugs.  The plants have been provided by several grants: a Seeds for Education Grant–provided by Wild Ones, and The Go Outside Fund–provided by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, by the Eagle Nature Trail Committee and by private donors.

Please look for our seven World Trade Center swamp white oak trees inside protective cages.  They were donated by Phil Hall and the Eagle Lion’s Club. A school-wide assembly presented the trees as a way to honor the people who were tragically affected by the events at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. In remembrance, the trees are caged and have signage.