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Natural History

We'd love to hear about what you've observed in the animal and plant populations in the Eureka area. Compiling these observations helps all of us appreciate our local natural heritage and it gives us a data bank of information to monitor changes in the environment. Observations sent to us will be posted on the NEWS page of this website. Be sure to include your name and how we could contact you for further information.

We have some questions that may help you focus your observations. Feel free to use these as you see fit.

Mike Toliver, miketol@eureka.edu

or Peg Toliver, ptoliver@mtco.com

• What day and date did you make your observation?
• What time of day was it?
• Where in the Park (or in Eureka itself) did you make your observation? (Click here to see map of lake area)
• Describe what you observed. Remember, the more detail you provide, the more useful your information!
• Consider size, shape, color, quantity, behavior, location of what you observed. (For example, if you are describing a migrating flock of some sort of duck, it would be nice to know how many ducks were in the flock, what they looked like, what direction they were flying. If they settled on the lake, did they stay on the surface or dive beneath, did they spend time on land? Were they skittish around other species? How long did they stay at the Lake? On the other hand if you are describing a plant, note it's location in the park, what other plants grew nearby, how many plants of this type you saw; describe the color, shape and size of the plant, and note if any insects or birds were visiting the plant.)

Local History

Send us your stories, photographs, quotations and quips about your outdoor adventures in the Eureka area.

We'd love to hear your memories of growing up in the Lake Eureka area. How has the landscape changed? How did you use Walnut Creek or Lake Eureka? What were some outdoor activities that were popular during the various seasons of the year?

Or write to us care of

Professor Mike Toliver

Eureka College

Biology Department

300 E. College

Eureka, IL 61530

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