Bernheim’s 40+ miles of hiking trails are just a part of our natural forest area. Areas not accessible to visitors are used for research by both Bernheim and external scientists and maintained as protected forest. Bernheim’s staff works behind the scenes every day to keep this forest pristine, so it can provide clean air and water for our surrounding communities.
Daily activities vary by season, but here’s a peek at what our Natural Areas team has been up to this early spring.
- Treated 35.5 acres for invasive species, most commonly garlic mustard
- Installed trail cameras throughout the forest to capture images of wildlife that call Bernheim home
- Collected data for ongoing research on oak regeneration
- Continued to follow golden eagle Athena’s journey as she departed Bernheim in March
- Re-blazed the Millennium Trail, which will now use blue blazes for wayfinding
- Conducted prescribed fires on the Big Prairie
Their hard stewardship work is crucial in protecting Bernheim’s 16,140-acre forest. Large areas of protected land like Bernheim are critical in helping to offset the devastating effects of climate change.
