NOTE: Quite a Few Programs Take Place at LNC Lilly Nature Center

NATIVE ROOTS

To promote the enjoyment & stewardship of natural areas in West Central Indiana! Vol 9 Issue #1 JAN-MAR 2013

NOTE: Quite a few programs take place at LNC—Lilly Nature Center

in the Celery Bog Nature Area: 1620 Lindberg Rd, West Lafayette

Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society (INPAWS)

INFO/EVENTS: www.inpaws.org

Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society-West Central Chapter

MON, JAN 28 7pm “Favorite Shrubs & their Wildlife Uses” …...at LNC

Presentation by Sally and Harmon Weeks.

MON, FEB 25 7pm “Wildflowers of the Sierra Nevada” ……..…at LNC

Presentation by Kevin Tungesvick, Restoration Ecologist w/Spence

MON, MAR 25 7pm “Indiana Wildflower Finder Project” ……….at LNC

Presentation by Kay Yatskievych, Missouri Botanical Garden

INFO: Susan Ulrich 765-583-2275

ADVANCED TREE STEWARD WINTER TREE ID COURSE

This 3.5 hr-training covers tree identification characteristics such as

buds, twigs, bark and tree form. NOTE: Non-Tree Steward

participants should have some tree ID experience prior to attending.

THU, FEB 7 8:30am-noon at LNC ~ sponsored by WL Parks & Rec

FRI, FEB 8 1-4:30pm OR SAT, FEB 9 8:30am-noon

at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) GardenTerrace Building,

Michigan Rd Entrance ~ sponsored by IMA

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED to 25 students per class; cost is $10.

INFO/REG: www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013WinterTreeID

QUESTIONS: or 317-234-6568

MASTER GARDENER PUBLIC WORKSHOP

SAT, FEB 16 – “Once Upon a Garden” Seminar (5hrs MG credit)

Reg & b’fast: 7:30am CST; Seminar: 8:30am-2:30pm CST

At Lowell North Auditorium on Old Hwy 41 N, in Princeton.

INFO/REGISTRATION form: www.hort.purdue.edu/mg/events.html

LAFAYETTE MUSHROOM HUNTERS GROUP

Holds forays looking for mushrooms in different Lafayette areas.

If you know of places where mushrooms are growing or would like

to go out mushroom hunting with others, contact Nick!

FOR MORE INFO: or 317-370-2895

Wild Bird Shoppe (1511 West 350 North, West Laf, 765-463-2098)

SAT, MAR 16 & APR 6 10:30am Miniature Fairy Garden Class

Attendees receive free container & soil. Call to reserve a spot.

SAT, MAR 23 10am-6pm FREE Feeder Cleaning Day (2/person)!

Sycamore Audubon Society – PROGRAMS on BIRDS & MORE

THU, JAN 10 7:15pm “Landtrusts and Conservation” ……...….at LNC

Presentation by Cliff Chapman, Conservation Director for CILTI

THU, FEB 14 7:15pm “Diversity in the Birding Community” .....at LNC

Presentation by Doug “Birdman” Gray

THU, MAR 14 7:15pm “Rare Plant Communities in NW Indiana…LNC

Presentation by Roger Hedge, Ecologist, Div of Nature Preserves

INFO: Wes Homoya or 317-452-5355

Sycamore Audubon Society – FIELD TRIPS, WEEKLY BIRD HIKES Meet at listed starting times in gravel parking lot - Celery Bog Nature Area: north side of Lindberg Road, West Laf. Led by Barny Dunning.

FIELD TRIPS:

SAT, FEB 9 “Winter Bird Finding Trip” (meet 8:30am; half-day,)

Looking for winter birds such as raptors, sparrows and longspurs,

and whatever else is being reported in the area.

SAT, MAR 2 “Waterfowl and Eagles Field Trip” (meet 8am; half-day,)

This is the peak of spring waterfowl migration, so looking for ducks,

cranes, etc, wherever they are being reported.

THURSDAY EARLY BIRD HIKES begin MAR 21st (meet 8am; 1 hr)

A fun way to start your day—birding at Celery Bog Nature Area!

INFO: Barny Dunning 497-3082h,494-3565w,

WINTER BIRD FEEDER COUNT: 20th-25th of NOV, DEC, JAN, FEB

REPORT FORMS are needed for sending in your data and are

available at SAS meetings or on-line at www.indianaaudubon.org

(click on activities). IT’s NOT TOO LATE to do JAN or FEB count!

INFO: John Castrale

NICHES Land Trust

TUE, FEB 26 6:30-8:30pm Board Meeting – at TAF, 638 North St, Laf

THU, MAR 7 7-8pm “Born of Fire: Returning Controlled Burns to the

Indiana Landscape” – at Tipp Co Public Library, 627 South St, Laf

Presentation by Gus Nyberg, Executive Director of NICHES

MON-THU, MAR 11-14 “”Make a Difference Spring Break”

Help NICHES restore and improve oak savannas in Warren County.

Assist invasive species control efforts while enjoying a rustic

camping experience on a NICHES preserve. Food and camping

equipment available for those that need supplies.

NOTE: Limited to 15 people. For more information or to sign up,

contact Gus Nyberg: , 765-423-1605

INFO: NICHES Office 765-423-1605 or www.nicheslandtrust.org

Kankakee Sands – VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS

JAN-APR: 9am-noon Central Time on the 2nd Saturday of each month

(led by staff from The Nature Conservancy in Indiana)

JAN 12th, FEB 9th Brush cutting of trees and shrubs—

Woody plants which threaten our prairie restorations & are crowding

our open savannas will be removed using brush-cutters & hand-held

herbicide applicators. Training and personal protective gear will be

provided at the project office (3294 N US 41, Morocco) where we

will meet before heading out to the field, so please arrive on time.

RSVP/INFO: Tony Capizzo or 219-285-2184

MAR 9th, APR 13th Transplanting native plants—

In February, native plant seeds were sowed into germination trays,

and now the seedlings are ready to be transplanted into individual

pots. You are sure to learn about native plants, prairies, Kankakee

Sands, and how good you are at transplanting! All ages are

welcome. Work will be done in the Kankakee Sands Greenhouse

(1492 W CR 250 N,Morocco – across from North Newton H.S.).

RSVP/INFO: Alyssa Nyberg or 219-866-1706

Kankakee Sands – Special film viewing ”Everglades of the North”

FRI, JAN 25 at Kankakee Sands Office: 3294 N US 41, Morocco

5pm social hour; 6pm film – light refreshments provided

This film explores the diverse ecology, unveils the astonishing

history, and illustrates the controversial saga of the Grand

Kankakee Marsh—which was one of the largest wetlands in North

America and home to some of the highest concentrations of wildlife

on the planet. For centuries the marsh gave, and man took!

RSVP to Alyssa: or 219-285-2184

Prophetstown State Park – WINTER NATURE WORKSHOPS*

SAT, JAN 26 Grapevine Wreath Workshop –1pm at the Main Office,

5545 Swisher Rd, West Laf ($5 workshop fee; no park entry fee)

ADVANCE REG required: 765-567-4919 or

SAT, MAR 9 & 23 Pottery & Pit Firing Workshop (a 2-session wkshop)

Participants will be guided through the process of making open-

fired, functional domestic earthenware using traditional tools,

techniques, and materials. ($45 workshop fee; space is limited)

PRE-REG & PAYMENT required by FRI, MAR 1st- contact Angie.

Other topics— bat houses, bird feeders, walking sticks, and more!!

*SCHEDULE: Angie Manuel 765-567-4919 or

AUDUBON JUNIOR NATURE CLUB – 5th and 6th Graders …….at LNC

6-7:30pm Free hands-on lessons, hikes (weather permitting), games,

crafts and treats sponsored by Sycamore Audubon Society!

TUE, JAN 22 “Nature – up close and personal”

TUE, FEB 12 “Who goes there? Tracking wildlife”

TUE, MAR 5 “You’re so cold-blooded”

TUE, MAR 26 “Let there be spring”

INFO: Ms. Zonda (Bryant) 765-366-9126

Why this newsletter?

If you're like me, you'd like to have all your nature news in one place—so you don't miss out on some interesting natural history programs or stewardship opportunities. That's my intent here.

Submissions for APR-JUN issue need to reach me by MAR 15th.

Please send your info to

or call (765) 567-7023. Joan Mohr Samuels, Editor

CALLING ALL NATURALISTS AND NATURALIST WANNA-BEs to

"WEDNESDAYS in the WILD"

Natural History Talks/Workshops/Field Trips 1-3p.m. or As Noted

JANUARY – MARCH 2013

Jan 16th 7-9pm “Entomology Museum Tour” ------indoor pgm—PU-SMITH

See fascinating insect displays during this museum tour led by Purdue Entomologist Arwin Provonsha.

Jan 23rd 1-3pm “Capitol Reef National Park: Utah’s Red Rock Eden” ------indoor pgm—LNC

Purdue Entomologist John MacDonald will give a presentation on the natural history of this unique park where he

lived for six months doing research on stream insects. Also, he will show how the results of a faunistic inventory of

stream insects are used to assess water quality in Pleasant Creek, a free-flowing stream originating in alpine meadows

and terminating in a desert. NOTE: This program on Capitol Reef National Park begins an annual showcase of several of our

National Parks, leading up to a celebration of the National Park Service's Centennial in 2016!

Jan 30th 1-3pm “The Black and White on Indiana Walnuts” ------indoor pgm—LNC

Lenny Farlee (Purdue Extension Forester) will be talking about the biology, status, research and uses of

black walnut and butternut (white walnut) in Indiana.

Feb 6th 1-3pm “Bluebird Basics & Bluebird House Construction” ------indoor pgm—LNC

Tippecanoe Co. Park & Rec Dept Naturalist Mary Cutler & Property Manager Brenda Moore team up

to discuss the natural history of this delightful songbird, with tips and techniques for becoming a “bluebird landlord.”

IF making a bluebird box, BRING $15 materials fee for one/$25 for two, and a HAMMER. (Limited scholarships available.)

Feb 13th 7-9pm “SWITCH: A Multi-program Effort to Build Global Energy Understanding”-indoor pgm—LNC

Join us for a unique opportunity to view the acclaimed, agenda-free documentary “Switch,” which promotes energy

efficiency and understanding (developed by Arcos Films & the Geological Society of America). Following the film, a

Q & A session will be held with Dr. James Ogg, from Purdue’s Dept of Earth, Atmospheric & Planetary Sciences.

Feb 20th 1-3pm “Maple Sugaring at Home” ------indoor/outdoor pgm—LNC

Don Bickel (Retired Forester) will draw upon his 30+ years of experience in maple sugaring to show participants

how to get started in this fun pursuit on a small scale. An outdoor demonstration of the tree-tapping process follows.

Feb 27th 1-3pm “Spring Creep & Spring Flowers: Effects of Climate Change on

Plant Pollination Interactions” ------indoor pgm—LNC

Assistant Professor Nancy Emery (Purdue Dept of Biological Sciences) will discuss her research at the Ross

Biological Reserve focusing on the impacts of early flowering on local forest spring wildflowers. She will explore the

prospects for change in deciduous forest plant populations as ecosystems are affected by a warming world.

Mar 6th 7-9pm Emerald Ash Borer ------indoor pgm—LNC

Cliff Sadof (Purdue Entomology Professor) & Annemarie Nagle (Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator) give you

the tools you need to manage emerald ash borers feeding on your ash trees before they kill your trees. The borers

are already here, so don’t wait to learn about this invasive pest! This presentation will focus on what you can do

alone or with your neighbors to protect your trees from damage and your property from falling trees.

Mar 13th 7:30-9:30pm “Sounds of Spring-Wacky Woodcocks”--Flashlight/Binoculars - outdoor pgm—AMPH

Experience this spring birding ritual with Naturalist Mary Cutler & members of the Sycamore Audubon Society.

Mar 20th 1-3pm ”The Grand Kankakee Marsh-Let’s Bring Some of it Back”------indoor pgm—LNC

Jim Sweeney (Founding Board Member, Friends of the Kankakee) will show the documentary “Everglades of

the North” which explores the diverse ecology, unveils the astonishing history & illustrates the controversial saga

of the Grand Kankakee Marsh! A talk on the Grand Kankakee Marsh National Wildlife Refuge proposal follows film.

Mar 27th 1-3pm “Spring on the Wing” ------Bring binoculars!------indoor/outdoor pgm—LNC

Avid birder Susan Ulrich will discuss early migrants and Celery Bog residents, and then lead a birding walk.

LOCATIONS of these FREE PROGRAMS which are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

AMPH (Tipp Co Amphitheater): Meet in parking lot on east side of North River Rd, near Soldiers Home Rd in West Lafayette.

LNC (Lilly Nature Center/Celery Bog Nature Area): On north side of Lindberg Rd, between Northwestern and McCormick in WL.

PU-SMITH (Purdue Campus-Smith Hall): At the corner of State St. & South University St. There’s a parking lot directly behind (south

of) Smith Hall. Meet in Room B-22 in the EAST basement; there are stairs leading down to the basement just left of the loading dock.

On-line campus map at: www.purdue.edu/campus_map

FOR MORE INFORMATION or TO HELP WITH PLANNING, contact:

Mary Cutler 765-567-2993, Dan Dunten 765-775-5172, Joan Mohr Samuels 765-567-7023;