At Friends of Henderson County Wildlife, we cherish the people whose passion and dedication have helped shape the heart and soul of our community.
Our Legacy Keepers recognition is a tribute to those who have gone above and beyond to nurture the education, conservation, and outdoorsmen heritage that make Henderson County so special. Chosen by our board from the thoughtful recommendations of our members, these honorees are neighbors, mentors, and friends who inspire us all to care for our natural resources and each other. Their stories remind us that our local landscape and wildlife, along with the traditions we hold dear, are kept alive by the generosity and spirit of those who love them most and pass on this legacy to the next generation.
Don “Butch” Brent and Beverly Brent, lifelong residents of Henderson County, Illinois, developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors while growing up on local farms. After attending the College of the Ozarks in Arkansas, they returned to serve as educators in the Dallas City and Southern school districts, where they integrated natural resource education into their teaching. Beverly led an annual monarch butterfly unit for her second-grade students, while Butch was known for taking students on fishing or hunting field trips – he always said he learned much more in a boat or out in the field from his mentors than he did in a traditional classroom. In 2020 the Brent children established Friends of Henderson County Wildlife to honor the legacy of Beverly and Don, following their passing in 2018 and 2019. Friends of Henderson County Wildlife’s goal is to celebrate the education, conservation, and outdoorsmen heritage the natural resources of Henderson County, IL, offer all of us.
Kerry Poulter grew up living on the Mississippi River in Dallas City, Illinois, where his love for the outdoors began at an early age. Kerry’s passion for hunting, fishing, and the natural beauty of our region inspired an incredible commitment to conservation and stewardship. As a young adult, he became an Illinois Certified Hunter Safety Instructor and has served in this volunteer role for over forty years, dedicating countless hours to teaching safe and ethical hunting practices. In fact, Kerry has helped more than one thousand residents in Henderson County and the surrounding area earn their Illinois DNR Hunter Safety Certification. His commitment to education, conservation, and outdoorsmen heritage has shaped many generations of responsible outdoorsmen. We are honored to recognize Kerry as an inaugural Legacy Keeper of Friends of Henderson County Wildlife for the lasting impact he continues to make on our community and natural resources.
Fill out the form on this page to submit an individual for consideration as a FOHCWL Legacy Keeper. Please be sure to detail your contact information so we can contact you if additional information is necessary.
Questions? Contact us at info@friendsofhcwildlife.org.
