INPAWS 2012 SMALL GRANT DEADLINE: FEB 1st
(Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society)
INPAWS has a Small Grants Program
which gives awards of up to $1000
to support projects in line with its mission of
promoting the appreciation,preservation, conservation, utilization and scientific study of the flora native to Indiana and educating the public about the values, beauty, diversity and environmental importance of indigenous vegetation.
For details & a copy of the guidelines, go to
QUESTIONS? e-mail Jackie Luzar:
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
West Central Chapter of INPAWS -
Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society
WC-INPAWS PROGRAM Meetings—fourth Mondays at 7pm
at Lilly Nature Center in Celery Bog Nature Area, West Lafayette
Dinner with the speaker is at 6pm at the MCL Cafeteria-West Lafayette
~ open to the public ~
MON, JAN 23 – “Shrubs of Indiana”
—Sally Weeks, Purdue Dendrologist, will give a presentation based
on her new book Shrubs & Woody Vines of Indiana & the Midwest.
Discussion will include identification, wildlife values, & landscaping
use of these plants. Her book is due out mid-January 2012.
MON, FEB 27 – "Spring Wildflowers"
—Ed Zschiedrich, serious photographer & plant aficionado, will give
us a preview of what’s to come. His pictures are always a delight
to the eye!
PgmChair: Susan Ulrich 765-583-2275
Friesner Herbarium Blog about Indiana Plants
Rebecca Dolan, Director of Friesner Herbarium at Butler University,
presents timely seasonal information on wild plants in Central Indiana.
Learn what is blooming where and how to identify it!
blogs.butler.edu/indianaplants
ISLE ROYALE BOTANY WORKSHOP – JUN 11-16*
*Limited to 12, so register early (by MAR 5th for discount!)
Open to anyone with beginning/intermediate knowledge of plant identification and able to walk up to seven miles a day with a daypack sometimes on steep, rocky trails & slippery bedrock shore!
Experience Lake Superior’s unique Isle Royale National Park while
learning to identify the early season plants with botanist Janet Marr.
DETAILS/COST: Kristine Bradof 906-482-7860
LAFAYETTE MUSHROOM HUNTERS GROUP
Holds forays looking for mushrooms in different Lafayette areas.
FOR MORE INFO: or 317-370-2895
ALL ABOUT OWLS–those AWESOME AVIATORS!
At Monticello Public Library, 321 West Broadway, Monticello:
THU, JAN 5th 6:30pm Library Story Hour on Owls—for young children
THU, JAN 26th 6:30pm Movie about Owls—for the whole family
TUE, JAN 31st 6:30pm “What Owl is That” with Rick Read—family pgm
Learn to identify local owls by their call, appearance & silhouette!
THU, FEB 9th noon Brown Bag Lunch & OWL presentation/discussion
At Anheier Bldg in City Park, 904 City Park Loop, Monticello:
WED, JAN 18th 6:30pm “Swift & Silent—The Life of an Owl”
Intensive study of owl anatomy, flight, night senses, hunting, plus
dissection of owl pellets followed by an owl snack!—3rd-Jr HS aged
SAT, FEB 11th1pm Live Owl and Stories of Owl Rescues & Habits
Presentation by Wildcat Wildlife Center staff—family pgm
SPONSORS:Monticello Public Library & Parks Dept w/Rick Read
QUESTIONS/REGISTER: 574-583-5643 (library)
SYCAMORE AUDUBON SOCIETY (SAS)
SAS PROGRAM Meetings—second Thursdays at 7:15pm
at Lilly Nature Center in Celery Bog Nature Area, West Lafayette
Dinner with the speaker is at 6pm at the MCL Cafeteria-West Lafayette
~ open to the public ~
THURS, JAN 12 “Scandinavian Avians”
—Barny Dunning, Purdue Professor of Wildlife Ecology, spent last
July with students exploring & learning about sustainable resource
use issues in Sweden, Finland, & Estonia. His talk will be on the
birds he encountered during his time there as well as highlights
from the sustainability program!
THURS, FEB 9 “Attracting Purple Martins to Your Yard”
—Landon Neumann, 15-year-old birding prodigy, will share some of
his secrets to success in how to welcome these feathered friends
of humanity (they eat flying insects) to your property.
THURS, MAR 8 “Big Sue’s Birding Adventure in Cuba”
—Sue Arnold, longtime Audubon member & nature enthusiast, will
share stories and photos from her March 2010 excursion to the
“forbidden island” made possible by a Dept of the Treasury license
sponsored by the Caribbean Conservation Trust. A trip highlight
was the Bee Hummingbird—the smallest bird in the world!
PGM CHAIR—Wes Homoya: 317-452-5355,
SAS FIELD TRIPS
Meet in gravel parking lot along drive to Lilly Nature Center in Celery Bog Nature Area—between McCormick & Northwestern/WL
SAT FEB 11 Winter Birds Field Trip—Half-day field trip
Meet at 8:30am in Celery Bog gravel parking lot. Spend time in
Celery Bog area looking for Cackling Goose & wintering waterfowl;
then go where there may be winter specialties such as
Rough-legged Hawk, Snow Buntings, and others!
SAT MAR 3 Waterfowl and Eagles Trip—Half-day field trip
Meet at 8am in Celery Bog gravel parking lot to carpool. Group will
look for migrating waterfowl, and local Bald Eagle pairs on the nest!
Info: Barny Dunning 497-3082h, 494-3565w
WINTER BIRD COUNTS & RELATED SAS PROGRAM
WINTER BIRD FEEDER COUNT continues – 20th-25th of JAN & FEB
REPORT FORMS are needed for sending in your data
and are available at SAS meetings or on-line at
(click on activities)
People who feed birds in Indiana are encouraged to watch and keep
records of what comes to their feeders. This data is used to
document changes in populations of various feeder birds & changes
in the types of birds visiting feeders in Indiana through the winter.
John Castrale, Indiana Non-game Biologist, compiles this data.
Questions? E-mail John Castrale:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WINTER BIRDS & the Great Backyard Bird Count Program
SAS presentation on birds that winter in the area and information about becoming a participant in the Great Backyard Bird Count.
THU, FEB 16th 2pm at Tippecanoe Co Klondike Branch Library
(NW Corner of Lindberg Rd & Klondike Rd in West Lafayette)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
FRI, FEB 17 – MON, FEB 20
FOR DETAILS: attend SAS FEB 16th presentation (see above)
or visit
WALLA* offers 8-session “Life of Birds” Class
based on David Attenborough’s PBS series “The Life of Birds”
Mondays & Wednesdays MAR 19th thru APR 11th
at Morton Community Center: 222 N. Chauncey in West Lafayette
DETAILS COMING SOON at in brochure
*WALLA stands for Wabash Area Lifetime Learning Association
QUESTIONS: WALLA Office 765-746-2006
"WEDNESDAYS in the WILD"
Natural History Talks/Workshops/Field Trips
JAN-MAR 2012, 1-3pm or As Noted
Jan 11th1-3pmFire: Friend or Foe–An Ecological Perspective LNC
A fascinating glimpse into the intricacies of fire’s effects on natural
landscapes will be provided by Drew Daily, State Fire Supervisor,
IDNR Division of Forestry.
Jan 18th7-9pmFree-ranging Cats and Conservation .……....…LNC
Presentation by Wildlife Ecologist Harmon (Mickey) Weeks, Jr. on
free-ranging cats—shown to be a major detriment to populations of
songbirds and other wildlife. Recent evidence also suggests
problems with disease transmission to both wildlife and humans. All
persons interested in wildlife should campaign to keep cats indoors.
Jan 25th7-9pmAsteroid & Comet Impacts on Earth:
The Kentland Connection ...... LNC
Jay Melosh, Purdue Professor of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, will
present the nature of asteroids & comets in our solar system, and will
include a discussion of the world-class impact crater created by an
asteroid in Kentland, IN, sometime within the last 400 million years!
Feb 1st 1-3pmIs it an Opossum or a Possum?
The Life History of the Virginia (O)possum ...... LNC
Come learn about the behavior & natural history of North America’s
only native marsupial! Bill Beatty, graduate student in Purdue’s Dept
of Forestry & Natural Resources, will also highlight the techniques
used to study opossums, and other native animals, in the wild.
Feb 8th 1-3pm Bringing Back the Bluebird
and Bluebird Box Construction…………...... 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 & techniques for becoming a “bluebird
landlord.” IF MAKING A BLUEBIRD BOX, bring $15 materials fee for
one box/$25 for two, & a HAMMER. Limited scholarships available.
Feb 15th1-3pmHealthy Rivers INitiative:
Building an Indiana Conservation Legacy …... LNC
Angie Tilton, IDNR’s Healthy Rivers INitiative Liaison, will provide an
overview of HRI—Indiana’s largest land conservation project which
aims to protect 69,000 acres in two of Indiana’s major watersheds!
Feb 22nd1-3pmA Veterinarian’s Alaskan Experiences …..…... LNC
Dr, Paul Snyder, from Purdue’s School of Veterinary Medicine, will
share the saga of his ongoing study of the impacts of the Exxon
Valdez oil spill on sea otters and other Alaskan wildlife.
Feb 29th1-3pmNature’s Notebook:
The Fascination of Phenology ……………...….. LNC
Celebrate the extra day in 2012’s calendar by exploring nature’s
calendar of events: the recurring cycle of plant & animal events
known as phenology. Naturalist Mary Cutler will also inform you
about citizen scientist opportunities related to nature note-taking!
Mar 7th 1-3pm The Distribution of Native Prairie & Barrens
Plant Communities in Indiana………..…...... LNC
Presentation byNews Channel 18's Chief Meteorologist Chad Evans
looks at how prairie and barrens developed so far east and how
historic & prehistoric climate and geology influenced the distribution
of these native plant communities in Indiana.
Mar 14th5:30-7:30pmFrog Monitoring Workshop………...…... LNC
Outdoor program at Celery Bog Nature Area led by Dr. Robert
Brodman, Biology Professor at Saint Joseph’s College, Rensselaer.
Mar 21st 7:30-9:30pmSounds of Spring-Wacky Woodcocks!AMPH
Experience this spring ritual with Naturalist Mary Cutler & members
of Sycamore Audubon Soc. Binoculars, flashlights, dress warmly!
~~~~~~~~
LOCATIONS of these FREE PGMS—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 (betw Northwestern & McCormick) in West Lafayette.
~~~~~~~~
Sponsored by: Mary Cutler-TIPP CO Park & Rec Dept, Dan Dunten-
WL Parks & Rec, Sycamore Audubon Soc, WC-INPAWS, NICHES
FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact:
Mary Cutler (765-567-2993), Dan Dunten (765-775-5172), or Editor
HAPPY HOLLOW WALKERSevery MON, WED, FRI at 10:30am
Walk with Temple Pearson & enjoy nature while getting good exercise!
Meet in first parking lot by swings at Happy Hollow Park in W. Laf.
FOR INFO: r 765-743-3437
STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
NICHES Land Trust - Helping Ecosystems Survive!
765-423-1605 Gus Nyberg, Exec Dir
NEXT BOARD MEETING – 6:30 pm TUES: Feb 28th
in the Wells Center at 638 North St, Lafayette
Check website for upcoming NICHES events/workdays.
CONSERVATION DAY at the STATEHOUSE **
TUE, JAN 24th – 10am to 1:30pm
Indiana Statehouse, North Atrium: 200 West Washington St, INDY
Meet fellow conservationists; talk with legislators and
voice your concerns about the future of our natural resources.
**FREE, but registration is required by JAN 19th online at:
Sponsored by the Indiana Conservation Alliance (INCA)
FOREST MANAGEMENT for the Private Woodland Owner
Beginning FEB 21st 8 TUE evenings 6pm-9pm in Fountain County
Instruction provided by Purdue Extension staff, and public & private sector natural resource professionals to help landowners become more knowledgeable managers of their woodland resource. DETAILS/REG:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interested in installing green practices on your land?
WREC Cost Share Pgm is accepting applications on a rolling basis, with reviews occurring monthly. Questions:Sara Peel 765-337-9100
DETAILS/APPLIC:
~~ KEEP UP with the LATEST BUZZ on HONEYBEES~~
With the decline in natural population of honeybees due to disease & pests, beekeepers are important in providing healthy bee populations to continue the critical role of pollination on farms & in gardens!
SAT, JAN 14 & FEB 18 9am-noon Beginning Beekeeping Classes
at Thorntown Public Library, 124 N. Market St. (765) 436-7348
Sponsor: WEST CENTRAL INDIANA BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
DETAILS:
SAT, JAN 21st 9am-noon at Tippecanoe County Extension Office
3150 Sagamore Parkway South, Laf.
Presentation: So You’re Thinking About Becoming A Beekeeper
by Ruth Coors and Doug Jones (Master Gardener Beekeepers)
Sponsor: Tippecanoe County Master Gardeners
SAT, JAN 28th 8am-8pm15th Annual Beginning Beekeeping Class
in 4 locations: Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Terre Haute, & Columbus
This comprehensive class, taught only once a year, will prepare
students to begin their own beekeeping by late spring 2012!
Sponsor: INDIANA BEEKEEPING SCHOOL
DETAILS/COST/REG:
SAT, FEB 25* 8am-4pm INDIANA BEE SCHOOL Xin Indianapolis
*NOTE: Registration deadline – FEB 17th
Sponsor: INDIANA BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION
DETAILS/COST/REG:
DELIGHTFUL WINTER PROGRAMSat Zion Nature Center
690 Beech St, Zionsville 317-873-8950; OR Where Noted
Check website for full schedule:
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR PROGRAMS MARKED *R
SAT, JAN 21st 1pm Live Birds of Prey—Ages 6 & up
NOTE: Pgm takes place at Zionsville Town Hall – 1100 W. Oak St.
WED, FEB 1st 6:30pm *R Win Against Invasives—Ages 16 & up
Comprehensive workshop providing identification & control tips, and
information about alternative native plants to replace invasives!
FRI, FEB 10th 1-2pm *R Animal Tracks—Ages 3-6
NOTE: Since no weekday parking at Zion Nature Center, pgm starts
at the library for a fictional story, followed by walk to the Zion
Nature Center to learn about animal tracks.
SAT, FEB 18th 1pm Maple Syrup & Tree Tapping—Ages 7 & up
Learn how to make maple syrup from your own backyard & sample
local syrup! Dress for outdoor demo & maple tree identification!
INFO/REGISTER: 317-873-8950
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 MAR-APR issue need to reach me by FEB 26th.
Please send your info to
or call (765) 567-7023. Joan Mohr Samuels, Editor