Eagle Scout completes overlook in Niota

NIOTA - The official opening for an Eagle Scout project in Niota will take place this month.

Zed Moorehouse, who was honored with his Eagle Scout, the highest youth honor bestowed in the Boy Scouts of America, built a trail and fence line for the  Prairie Land Conservancy (PLC) called Zed's Eagle Overlook at Stony Hills Nature Preserve.

This event is free and open to the public from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on April 29, (Rain out date of May 5th 1 p.m.- 3 p.m.). The group will meet at the parking lot at 1 p.m. to hike 0.5 miles to Zed’s Eagle Overlook till 1:30 p.m.

From 1:30 p.m to 3 p.m., those who want can join in to pull garlic mustard. PLC will supply baked goods, water (please bring your own bottle), gloves, and containers for disposing the garlic mustard. Please wear closed-toed shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Please park 1/4 mile after the intersection of Leisure Rd. and CO N Rd. 1430.

Join in to celebrate this accomplishment with members of the PLC staff, Zed Moorehouse, his parents, and community members. A discussion about the history of Stony Hills Nature Preserve, Zed’s accomplishments, and share baked goods will also be held.

In pairing with this event, guests are also invited to join in stewardship work of removing invasive garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata). Garlic mustard is an invasive, non-native, biennial herb that spreads by seed that emerges earlier in the spring than most native plants.

For more information and registration, please visit www.prairielandconservancy.org, call 309-833-4747, or  email pc@prairiehillsrcd.org.