Guests spend Saturday visiting Creekside for the annual spring open house

 

[April 25, 2022] 

On Saturday, the Dr. Dennis Campbell Creekside Outdoor Center for Environmental Education hosted its final Spring Open House as a unit of Lincoln College. When the college closes in May, it is unknown what the future of the environmental learning center will be, but Dr. Campbell is hoping that there will be some entity that will purchase the property and maintain it as the nature center it was always intended to be. However, he does have concerns. He noted Saturday that the property includes about 60 acres of tillable land in addition to more than 75 acres of natural woodland.

He said if someone purchases the center for agricultural production, then the center may cease to exist.

The knowledge that the future of the center is uncertain made the day somewhat bittersweet. While those working at the open house were putting on a happy face for visitors, it was clear that there was an underlying sadness in everyone.

Even Mother Nature seemed to be pouting about it, as the winds on the prairie were so fierce that it made it difficult for people to even stand up at times. Nonetheless, there were some who came out to enjoy the extremely mild temperatures and spend a little time enjoying the center in the capacity it was intended.



Even before reaching the center on Saturday morning, there were messages of farewell written on the blacktop road that leads to the gravel path to the center. The message was clear. “Thank you Dennis Campbell. You made our world better.”

Campbell was on hand on Saturday, talking with visitors and not missing any opportunity to reveal his feelings about how important the center is and how hopeful he is that someone will come in and take it over as it is.


As he spoke with one young man and his mother inside the Creekside Rotary Insectarium, the young man took out the wallet in his pocket and pulled out a few bills. Handing the money to Campbell, he said that he hoped the donation would help to save the center. Campbell was very touched by the gesture and said that no matter what, he would find something special to do with the money.

On a lighter note, the Insectarium has been cleared out of the dead plant life from last year, and new growth is beginning. Campbell pointed out that the insectarium is filled with morel mushrooms. Indeed, throughout the building there were more than a couple dozen of the wild mushrooms. Campbell said the mushrooms started popping up over a week ago. They’ve been left alone and are now starting to dry up a bit. Campbell said it was odd because no one has ever found mushrooms out in the wooded area of the center, but somehow the highly desirable, edible fungus have made their way into the greenhouse.

In addition to the mushrooms, the interior of the greenhouse was scattered with wild violets with an occasional dandelion as well.

There were also some ecological displays inside the insectarium including two dioramas created by fourth-graders from Washington Monroe School. Both depicted aquariums, made from recycled materials.



Outside the insectarium, Master Naturalist Dr. Pamela Moriearty was setting up a game between the insectarium and the greenhouse next door to it. She said that it was the only place she could find on the entire compound where the wind was calm enough for the game to be successful.

Judd McCullum, who in 2005 as a freshman at Lincoln College found the Wooly Mammoth tusk that has been well documented as a unique find in this part of the state, was also on hand for a visit Saturday. Campbell said that the tusk was given over to the Illinois Museum of Natural History that in-turn loaned the tusk back to Lincoln College for display. Now that the college is closing, the tusk will go back to the state museum. Campbell encouraged the former student to assist the state museum in putting together a fitting display for the rare find.

As part of the open house the Lincoln Park District hosted an Earth Day themed display about the impact of trash on public water ways. The National Railsplitter Association was helping out, as was the “Rock Lady” Mandy Cordray. The Hartsburg-Emden Class of 2025 was offering food for the day for a free will donation. The hopes were that it would be possible to build a bon fire in the brick fire pit when the wind settled a bit. Then guests would have the opportunity to sit around the fire and roast hot dogs.

Though in many ways it was a sad day for those who were volunteering at the open house, it was also a good day when they were able to once more share their love for Creekside with visitors, and educate visitors with the history that lies along Sugar Creek and within our county, while also talking about taking care of the land and waters of our earth so that future generations may also benefit from nature.

[Nila Smith]