A FAMILY NATURE CELEBRATION
SAT MAY 21st at the 6th Annual
10am-3pm at Lilly Nature Center & the Celery Bog Nature Area
(1620 Lindberg Rd, between Northwestern & McCormick, in WL)
Enjoy a wide range of FREE indoor & outdoor activities, such as:
Animalia’s live wild animal presentation, Ms. Zonda’s
“Family Nature Adventure Walk”, live music by local SAMI musicians,
”Bogs ‘n Bugs” by Purdue’s Entomology Dept, “Insect Safari” with Naturalist Mary Cutler, Nature Crafts/Games/Activities, & lots more!
Lemonadefor sale all day & Emergency Munchie Truck 11am-1:30pm
FOR INFO/Schedule:Dan 765-775-5172
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
West Central Chapter of INPAWS -
Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society
WC-INPAWS PROGRAM Meetings—fourth Mondays at7pm
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 APR 25 “Nature Walks in Indiana”
Learn about new places to hike and visit from Alan McPherson, author of Nature Walks in the Indiana Dunes, the upcoming NatureWalks on the Indiana Prairie, and other books. Copies will be available for purchase. His prairie book includes many of local photographer Ed Zschiedrich’s beautiful photographs but may not be ready by April 25th.
NO REGULAR PROGRAM MEETINGS IN MAY, JUNE & JULY
PgmChair: Susan Ulrich 765-583-2275
State INPAWS/DNR Div of Nature Preserves HIKES 10-12noon
Limited space so REGISTER early!
REG/DETAILS/MORE DNR HIKES:
SAT APR 9 Calli Nature Preserve– Jennings County (EDT)
Questions? Jason Larson 812-358-2160 x230
SAT MAY 7 Bluffs of Beaver Bend– Martin County (EDT)
Questions? Ryan Keller 812-789-5048
FOR MORE STATE INPAWS EVENTS/INFO:
NICHES Native Gardening Workshops at Morton Center ($5 fee) * TUESDAYS: APR 12th & 19th 1-3pm and MAY 10th & 17th 10am-noon
* REG:765-775-5120 with Morton Center (222 N. Chauncey Ave WL)
GETTING STARTED BIRDING on NICHES PROPERTY WALKS
TUE APR 12th8:30am at Moyer-Gould Woods (Carroll Co.) -Brooke
TUE APR 19th 8:30am at Clegg Garden (Tippecanoe Co.) -Brooke
THU APR 21st 8:30am at Weiler-Leopold (Warren Co.) -Brooke
FRI APR 29th 8amCDT Fisher Oak Savanna (Jasper Co.) B. Lucas
INFO:Brooke Criswell 765-423-1605
PROPHETSTOWN STATE PARK Weekend Programs
5545 Swisher Rd, West Lafayette
(Park Gate Fee $8/$10 per CAR unless noted otherwise.)
WILDFLOWER WALKS – Meet at Far East End parking lot.
SAT APR 9th 2pm ~ SUN APR 17th 3pm ~ SUN MAY 1st 11am
PROGRAMS led by MIAMI TRADITION BEARER, Dani Tippmann:
Miami Native American Plant Uses Walk/Talk –1pm at Visitor Center.
SAT APR 23rd & SAT JUN 25th
Sweetgrass Basket Workshop – 1pm at Visitor Center (NO GATE FEE)
SUN APR 24th –FREE butRegistration is Required ~ Call Angie**
PLANT the PRAIRIE – Volunteer Opportunity on TUEs JUN 7, 14, 21
9am start time. GATE FEE WAIVED for these Tuesday volunteers.
For full schedule of events:
**INFO/REG: Angie Manuel 765-567-4919 or
BEEKEEPERS OF INDIANA
JUN 18th Field Day at Purdue Honey Bee Lab (255 SR 26, West Laf)
MORE INFO: indianabeekeeper.com or Debbie Seib 317-432-9578
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 in the MCL Cafeteria-West Lafayette
~ open to the public ~
THU APR 14 “Have You Seen a Goatsucker Lately?”
Do you remember hearing Whip-poor-wills calling all night long, or
flushing coveys of Bobwhite quail while driving along a country road?
Alan Bruner will discuss ten bird species once easily found in our area
through the 1980’s – their status now and in years past.
THU MAY 12 “This Was Indiana: The Natural Landscape of
the Hoosier State in 1816”
Join Michael Homoya, botanist and plant ecologist with the Indiana DNR
Division of Nature Preserves, as he takes you to a time when Indiana
possessed a grandeur we can only imagine – a land of vast forests,
expansive wetlands, and prairie as far as the eye could see. Herds of
bison traveled ancient paths, passenger pigeons darkened the skies,
and wolves, bears and panthers roamed the land!
NO REGULAR PROGRAM MEETINGS IN JUNE, JULY & AUGUST
PGM CHAIR—Wes Homoya: or 317-452-5355
SAS FIELD TRIPS/HIKES
**Barny Dunning 765-412-8760C, 494-3565W,
SAT APR 9 Birds & Wildflowers of Fall Creek Gorge – Warren Co.
7:30am Meetin gravel parking lot at Celery Bogto carpool OR
8:30am Meet at Fall Creek Gorge (Note: parking space is limited there).
SAT APR 30 Goose Pond Excursion – PoseyCo. Contact Barny**
This is a 2.5 hr drive and may involve overnight arrangements such as
going down Friday to bird that night and then the next morning.
SAT JUN 11 Two Prophetstown Field Trips-meet at far end of park rd.
6:30amGrassland & Other Birds of Prophetstown
9:00amAudubon at the Overlook – learn about local birds that appear.
THURSDAY EARLY BIRD HIKES (through ~ MAY 19th)
Meet at 8:00am in gravel parking lot at Celery Bog(~1 hour walk).
“BIG DAY in MAY” BIRD COUNTS – SAT MAY 14th
The Sycamore Audubon Society sponsors counts in these two counties:
Tippecanoe:Barny Dunning 765-494-3565,
Warren: Susan Ulrich765-583-2275,
NOTE: People can use their yards and feeders as a territory.
To participate sign up for a county with one of the compilers above.
INDIANA DUNES BIRDING FESTIVAL - MAY 5-8 THU-SUN
** Contact Barny Dunning if interested in carpooling. **
Celebrate its rich biodiversity & bird life--walks, hands-on activities, talks!
SCHEDULE/REG:
NATIVE PLANTS sold here…
Tippecanoe SWCD Spring Plant Sale-wildflowers/sedges/grasses/rushes
Order byAPR 22nd**; pick up APR 29th & 30th Tipp Co Fairgrounds, Laf
PUBLIC PLANT SALE: SAT APR 30th 9am-3pm Tipp Co Fairgrounds,Laf
**Plant list/order form/pick up time:
GARDEN EXPO 2016:SAT APR 23rd 9am-3pm Plants and lots more!
AtTippecanoe County Fairgrounds – 1010 Teal Rd, Lafayette
INFO:tippecanoemastergardener.org
Native Plants Unlimited: APR 29th thru MAY 14th PLANT SALE DAYS
at Geist Nursery – 9890 Mollenkopf Road, Fishers, IN
Plant list/sale hrs/directions:
MORE INFO: George Peregrim317-506-5456
Gibson Woods Native Plant Sale – 6201 Parrish Ave, Hammond
MAY 7th9am-2pm CDT~Arrive early for best selection-cash/check!
For plant list:gw-wildones.org MORE INFO: Joy Bower 219-844-3188
INPAWS Native Plant Sale & Auction – MAY 7th9:30am-12:30pm
at Park Tudor High School Gym – 7200 N College, Indianapolis
MORE INFO: or Deb Bonte:
Native Wildflower Plant Sale: SAT MAY 7th 9am-4pm at Visitor Center
Prophetstown State Park-5545 Swisher Rd, WL. Gate fee/car is $8/$10.
MORE INFO: Angie Manuel 765-567-4919 or
UPCOMING PROGRAMS (cont’d)
APR-JUN WEDNESDAYS in the WILD pgms in separate flyer
AND on p. 3 of electronic version of this issue of Native Roots
NATURE PROGRAMS FOR KIDS
JUNIOR NATURE CLUB (JNC) meetsatLilly Nature Centerin
Celery Bog Nature Area–Lindberg Rd betw Northwestern & McCormick
Hands-on lessons, hikes (weather permitting), games, crafts & treats!
2015-2016 school yr: K through 8th Graders –no membership fees
Classes this school year are split into three age groups by grade;
each class meets once every three weeks (no classes in Dec & Jan):
K – 2nd grades meet Tuesdays from 6pm to 7pm:
SPRING DATES: APR 19, MAY 10, 31, JUN 21
3rd – 5th grades meet Thursdays from 6pm to 7:30pm:
SPRING DATES: APR 21, MAY 12, JUN 2, 23
6th – 8th grades meet Tuesdays from 6pm to 8pm:
SPRING DATES: APR 26, MAY 17, JUN 7, 28
TOPICS:You’re Outta Here, Say “Cheese,” Bejewelled, Pie Anyone?
For full JNC schedule and lots more info:
Sponsored by Sycamore Audubon Society & Hands of the Future
To volunteer or donate, contact:Ms. Zonda (Bryant) 765-366-9126
~~~~~~~~~
JUNIOR INDIANA MASTER NATURALIST SUMMER DAY CAMP **
at Camp Cullom (6815 W 200 N, Frankfort, IN) for 9-12 year-olds
9am-noon WEDs JUN 8 thru AUG 3 (except JUN 15th & JUL 13th)
**Class size limited to first twenty applicants, so sign up early.
CAMP FEE $60 ~ PRE-REG DEADLINE JUN 1st
INFO/REG: Call Leah Harden at Clinton SWCD 765-659-1223 x3 or
REG FORM:
~~~~~~~~~
NICHES “Explore the Wildcat” SUMMER DAY CAMP * ~ Ages 11-14
Two sessions: JUL 11-15 & JUL 18-22 8:30am -4:30pm (5:30pm FRI)
with NICHES Summer Artist-in-Residence Phil Daum & Brooke Criswell Campers will create art, explore nature, paddle the Wildcat Creek,
and journal about their experience. CAMP FEE $125/camper/session.
* Limited to just 12 campers/session, so register now with Brooke!
Brooke Criswell 765-423-1605
VOLUNTEER with WEST LAFAYETTE TREE FRIENDS APR & MAY
SPRING 2016 Pruning & Tree Planting on FRIDAYS 9-11am
at various West Lafayette locations.
FOR INFO/Schedule: Bev Shaw 765-775-5161
FAMILY FRIENDLY NATURE EVENTS
SAT MAY 7th Heritage Day: 200 Years of Work and Play in Indiana
10am-5pmat Tippecanoe Battlefield (off North 9th St in Battle Ground)
Sponsored by Tippecanoe County Historical Association
This free event will feature historical work/play elements, along withNaturalist Mary Cutler’s booth highlighting Indiana’s role as a “birthplace of naturalists” with family nature activities.
FOR MORE INFO: Kelly Lippie
SAT JUN 11th Outdoor Explore! A Beyond Your Backyard Sampler
10am-4pmat Tippecanoe Amphitheater (4449 SR 43 N, West Laf.)
Free fun-filled day for all ages with opportunities to try many outdoor activities from geocaching to archery to outdoor cooking and more!
Food available on site.
FOR MORE INFO: Mary Cutler 765-567-2993
ANNUAL K-12 EDUCATOR WORKSHOP
** TUE JUN 14th 9am-4pm “Exploring the Nature of Science”
at Lilly Nature Center (1620 Lindberg Rd, West Laf.)
Naturalist Mary Cutler & Dr. Dan Shepardson (Purdue Univ) lead this workshop which focuses on curricular connections
for engaging students in scientific thinking.
** FREE but preregistration is required by JUNE 6th.
INFO/REG: Mary Cutler 765-567-2993 or
WABASH RIVER EVENTS – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
FRI APR 8th 2:30-5pm WABASH RIVER SAMPLING BLITZ
No prior experience or equipment required! All ages will have a
fun day sampling streams & learning about our local waterways!
Volunteer here:
QUESTIONS?Sara Peel 765-337-9100
~~~~~~~~~
SAT APR 9* 9am-1pm DE-TRASH the WABASH!
Meet at Tapawingo Park, W Laf *Rain/flood date: APR 23rd
Trash bags & gloves provided, but bring refillable water bottle,
and wear long pants, long sleeves & sturdy shoes or boots!
REGISTER on-line:
MORE INFO: Wabash Riverkeeper 765-714-4829
STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Help protect our native plants – PULL GARLIC MUSTARD!!!
The INPAWS RIP (RemoveInvasivePlant) Squad
could use your help at its SPRING 2016 workdays
Weeding bags will be provided, but bring gloves & dress for poison ivy!
TUESDAYS 3:30-5:30pm THURSDAYS 3:30-5:30pm
West Lafayette Parks Tippecanoe County Parks
Apr 5 Celery Bog Nature AreaApr 7 Ross Hills Park
Apr 12 Celery Bog Nature AreaApr 14 Prophet’s Rock Woods
Apr 19 Michaud-Sinninger N. A.Apr 21 Ross Hills Park
Apr 26 Happy Hollow ParkApr 28 Prophet’s Rock Woods
May 3 Happy Hollow ParkMay 5 Ross Hills Park
May 10 Celery Bog Nature AreaMay 12 Prophet’s Rock Woods
May 17 Celery Bog Nature AreaMay 19 Ross Hills Park
May 24 Happy Hollow ParkMay 26 Prophet’s Rock Woods
May 31 Michaud-Sinninger N. A.
To get on e-mail list for reminders,updates and weeding location
directions:Patty Jones 765-463-3050,
NICHES Land Trust - Helping Ecosystems Survive!
Website: ~ Office:765-423-1605
NEXT BOARD MEETING – 6:30pm TUES, APR 26th & JUN 28that the
NICHES Office – Clegg Garden:1782 N 400 E, Lafayette
VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS at NICHES PROPERTIES
Property directions/info: or 765-423-1605
Weekly Tuesday Workdays: 9:30am-noon at Clegg Garden
Arrive at 9:30am to join a NICHES Staff Member for coffee/tea, talk and
planning the morning’s tasks related to renovating Clegg’s native garden!
Garlic Mustard Pulls (INFO/Confirm: )
At Mulvey Pond (Tippecanoe County):
THU APR 14th & 21st 1-3pm
SATAPR 23rd 9:30am-noon
At Bachner Reserve (Montgomery County) – THU APR 21st 9-11am
NICHES EVENTS/OUTINGS
**The NICHES revised website is bursting at the seams with activities! **
More Events/Exciting Details at
WEEKLY WANDER – Tuesdays at CLEGG GARDEN ~ all ages
3rd Tuesdays 8:30-9:15am ~ all other Tuesdays 5:15-6:15pm
Join a naturalist ~learn about ecosystems-flora-fauna along Clegg Trails.
WED HIKES at 1pm (details inWednesdays in the Wild schedule)
APR 6 Exploring Big Pine Valley– Warren County
MAY 11 Moyer Gould Woods Wildflower Hike– Carroll County
JUN 22 Exploring Indian Creek Basin–Tippecanoe County
WILDCAT CREEK FLOATS 5:15-7pm first Thursdays APR thru OCT
from Wildcat Creek Park (5201 Eisenhower Rd, Laf) to Peter’s Mill Landing
Need a boat? Contact Brooke in advance—supply limited.
Brooke Criswell 765-423-1605
HEARTLAND OUTDOOR ADVENTURERS ~ all ages welcome!
SAT APR 23rd 10-11:30am EDT Moyer-Gould Woods (Carroll County)
SAT MAY 28th 10-11:30am EDT Weiler-Leopold (Warren County)
SAT JUN 25th 10-11:30am CDT Shepard Swamp (Jasper County)
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY - VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
KANKAKEE SANDS (Newton County) at1492 W CR 250 N, Morocco
Learn about native plants, prairies, & Kankakee Sands. All ages welcome.
APR 9th 9-noonCDT Transplanting Native Seedlings –Greenhouse
The work is easy. Bring clothing options-can be 90 degrees inside!
MAY 14th 9-noon CDTPlanting Native Plants – Native PlantNursery
Planting potted greenhouse plants into the outdoor native plant nursery.
RSVP/INFOAlyssa Nyberg r 219-866-1706
~~~~~~~~~
CEDAR BLUFFS (Monroe County) Garlic Mustard Pull
SAT APR 9th10am-2pmEDT (Bring gloves, lunch, full water bottle.)
RSVP/INFO: Ellen Jacquart or 317-829-3814
~~~~~~~~~
FALL CREEK GORGE(Warren County)Garlic Mustard Pull
FRI MAY 6thSAT MAY 14th 9am-noonEDT
RSVP/INFO: Derek Luchik r 317-626-0246
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 JUL-AUG issue need to reach me by JUN 19th.
Please send your info to
or call (765) 567-7023Joan 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
APRIL – JUNE 2016
Apr 6th 1-3pmExploring the Unique Features of the Big Pine Valley at Crow's Grove------outdoor pgm—NICHES/CG
Join NICHES Stewardship Manager Bob Easter for a hike through NICHES’ new Crow’s Grove Nature Preserve in Warren County near Big Pine
Creek. The property features a short loop trail that winds through a population of native glacial remnant white pine overlooking a sandstone canyon
carved by glacial meltwaters. (There will be an opportunity to walk the creek bed through the canyon: bring your waterproof footwear if interested.)
Apr 13th1-3pmWhen Good Plants Go Bad: Mechanisms and Effects of Invasion ------ indoor pgm—LNC
MikeJenkins (Associate Professor of Forest Ecology for Purdue's Dept. of Forestry and Natural Resources) offers a brief history of
invasive plants, describes how non-native plants can invade our local environments, and explains why it matters.
Apr 20th1-3pmWILD EDIBLES - Talk, Walk, Eat! -- Meet at far east end parking lot. No park fee at this time- outdoor pgm—STPK
Springtime welcomes an array of wildflowers that provide nutritional and health benefits. Join Interpretive NaturalistAngie Manuel
on this walk to discover the edible and medicinal plants hiding in our woodlands - we’ll even snack on a few!
Apr 27th1-3pm Field Guides 101: Putting a Name with those Wildflower Faces -NOTE APR 27th PGM #1 - indoor/outdoor—LNC
Mary Cutler (Tippecanoe County Naturalist) will shed some light on the complexities of choosing a field guide, and walk participants through the
use of Newcomb's Wildflower Guide (easily mastered by non-botanists). We'll use our guides in the field to ID spring flowers, while learning about the
the plants. Bring your Newcomb's guide, if possible, or borrow or purchase one at pgm (at discounted price of $15 courtesy of Von’s Book Store!).
Apr 27th7-9pmCelebrating the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service --NOTE APR 27th PGM #2--- indoor pgm—LNC
Dan Shepardson (Purdue Prof. of Curriculum & Instruction/Earth, Atmospheric & Planetary Sciences) and Purdue environmental education
students will share the history of the National Park Service and virtually explore several of our national parks, highlighting the diversity and
conservation challenges of these treasured lands.
May 4th 1-3pmSpring Warblers & Other Migrants------Binoculars available if needed------indoor/outdoor pgm—LNC
Susan Ulrich (avid birder & naturalist) gives an indoor talk about migration and the birds that are coming through our area, and then leads an
outdoor bird walk at Celery Bog Nature Area.
May 11th1-3pmMoyer Gould Woods Wildflower Hike --CARPOOL leaves Battle Ground 12:30pm-- outdoor pgm—NICHES/MGW
Join NICHES stewardship manager Brad Weigel for this hike in Carroll County along the Tippecanoe River. Spring wildflowers should be in full
display and a side trip to a hidden cave will add some adventure to the hike. Brad will also discuss work NICHES has done at Moyer and will show
us the site of a recent prescribed burn on the property.
May 18th1-3pm Wabash River Water Quality Update ------indoor/outdoor pgm—SKATE
Wabash River Enhancement Corp (WREC) Executive Director Stan Lambert will review and update WREC’s activities and plans for along the
river and WREC Director of Watershed Projects Sara Peel will share information on how the water quality in the Wabash River has changed
over the years. We will then walk to the river, where Jay Beugly (Aquatics Ecology Specialist in the Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources
Dept) will show and talk about the wide variety of the fish that he just collected from the Wabash.
May 25th8-10pmAttracting & Collecting Insects at Night ------Bring FLASHLIGHT ------outdoor pgm—WNC
As the summer sun sets, many insects emerge that are often not noticed during the day. Jeff Holland (Associate Professor, Purdue Landscape
Ecology Lab) will first introduce selected methods of attracting & collecting insects at night and then give participants a chance to try out these
methods near the banks of Burnett Creek!
Jun 1st 1-3pm Up-close Bird ID using Mist Nets------ outdoor pgm—WNC
Amanda Beheler (avian ecologist with a variety of mist netting experience)& Brian Beheler (Purdue forester/bird enthusiast) will demonstrate
the use of mist nets and identify the birds that come to the nets during this program. A wonderful opportunity to get an up-close look at our local birds!