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