
Green Earth, Inc
Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale, Illinois

Brush Hill is approximately 20 acres of forested hills. The 1.0 mile Herbie Beyler Trail loop is
moderately difficult. A shorter trail loop (approximately 1/3 mile in
length) by-passes the steeper and more challenging portions of the
trail. The full trail passes through many different habitats, including
an old clearing, an upland forest, a lowland forest, a seasonal pond,
and a coal pit excavated by early settlers.
The Derecho Storm that swept through the Carbondale area during May 2009 permanently changed the face of this woodland. What was a mature forest with closed canopy structure was set back successionally to nearly open field conditions. The oaks, hickories, and walnuts that dominated much of the west facing slope are gone. Sapling trees will now have to compete with shrub species for sunlight and other resources.
The
hiking trail that was closed for months following the Derecho is open
again thanks to the hard work of volunteers Keith and Mark Beyler.
Since the trail's reopening, several sections have been re-routed to
deal with downed trees and long standing erosion problems. The lower,
wetter sections of the trail can still be problematic after rain, but
Green Earth has begun upgrading these areas with pikes and gravel.
Major improvements have been made over the past few years and will
continue with the help of our fantastic volunteer labor force.
Trail Adopters: Long Forestry Consultation
Download or print .pdf brochure
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