From wildflowers and woodpeckers to osprey and skulls, there are plenty of opportunities for Hoosiers to learn about the state’s flora and fauna as they explore Indiana’s natural areas.
Friday, March 22
2024 Spring Photo Contest, ongoing at Indiana State Parks: Make photographs at Indiana state parks between March 21 and April 30 and enter them into the photo contest. Individuals can submit up to three photos. For more details, head to DNR’s website.
Spring Wildflower Hike, 10 a.m. on Trail 5 at Charlestown State Park: Search for wildflowers on this 2-mile, slow-pace hike meets at the campground gatehouse.
Hoosier Birders’ Hour, 12 p.m. virtual meeting on Zoom: Join Indiana Audubon Society’s Executive Director Brad Bumgardner for this month’s fireside chat. During the one-hour event, Bumgardner will provide organizational updates, engage in lively conversations with special guests and answer your burning questions on rare sightings, backyard birding tips and more. Will stream online at: facebook.com/IndianaAudubon
Music of Treefrogs, 2 p.m. at Potato Creek State Park: Learn about Indiana’s native tree frogs and their calls with musical instruments at the nature center.
Water Quality Monitoring, 2 p.m. at Clifty Falls State Park: Meet at the park’s pool for a short hike to the creek. Conduct basic water quality tests during the hour-long event.
What’s That Skull?, 3 p.m. at McCormick’s Creek State Park: View the park’s collection of specimens at the nature center and learn about the clues skulls can give scientists.
Saturday, March 23
Cabin Fever Day, multiple events at Clifty Falls State Park: Enjoy a full day of events beginning at 8 a.m. with a 1-hour waterfall hike. Other events throughout the day include kid-friendly Easter stories, live birds of prey, a bluebird box workshop and an American woodcock sky dance.
Trail Naturalist Stations, 9 a.m. at Indiana Dunes State Park: Find park naturalists and volunteers along trails who will have live props to teach participants about the Indiana Dunes habitats.
Wildflower Scavenger Hunt, 9 a.m. at Mounds State Park: Participate in a hunt for different wildflowers along the trails in the park. Produce at least three photos and show them to the naturalist at the nature center. Prizes are awarded for the “coolest or most unusual: wildflowers or reports of flowers from new locations in the park.
Sounds of Spring, 10 a.m. at Fort Harrison State Park: Walk with a naturalist along Schoen Creek and Tree Line Trails to hear and identify the sounds of wildlife. Meets at the visitor center parking lot.
Woodpeckers of Indiana, 11 a.m. at Brown County State Park: Park expert, bird enthusiast and NPR personality Don Glass will give a presentation and discussion about Indiana’s seven native woodpeckers. Learn about the birds’ behaviors, looks and some issues they face.
Sunday, March 24
Slime vs. Scales, 10 a.m. at Clifty Falls State Park: Learn about native reptiles and amphibians during a 45-minute program at the park’s nature center.
Welcoming the Osprey Hike, 10:30 a.m. at Potato Creek State Park: Ospreys traveled thousands of miles to come back to Indiana. Learn why Worster Lake is a stopover habitat for migratory birds and why ospreys choose Potato Creek.
Environmental Racism in Indy neighborhoods, Sunday, March 24, 11:45 a.m. at All Souls Unitarian Church: An Indiana University researcher will share findings about how environmental contamination plagues certain neighborhoods in the city more than others. The event is open to the public and will stream online at https://zoom.us/j/94385152883.
Bird Feeder Workshop, 1 p.m. at Patoka Lake: Create a pinecone bird feeder at the park’s nature center. The program costs $1 per person and all supplies are provided.
Later this month
Lookout Towers of Indiana presentation, Tuesday March 26, 6 p.m. at Otis Park: RSVP required by March 22. Learn about Indiana’s lookout towers, the history of their use and which ones still have public access.
Annual Outdoor Adventure Class, Saturday, March 30, 9:30 a.m. at Holliday Park: Central Indiana Wilderness Club is hosting this class featuring a variety of topics including selecting gear, trail safety, camping, backcountry ethics and pooping in the woods. RSVP here: ciwclub.org/event-5469832
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful – Marian University tree planting, Thursday, March 28 at 11 a.m.: Register to volunteer and plant trees in collaboration with the Center for Interfaith Cooperation. Tree-planting demonstration begins at 11:05 a.m. at the latest. Must register online at kibi.org.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful – Eagledale tree planting, Saturday, March 30 at 9 a.m.: Join KIB’s Community Forestry team and help plant 137 native trees in an Eagledale neighborhood. Demonstration begins no later than 9:05 a.m. Must register online at kibi.org.
Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk
IndyStar’s environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Explore Indiana outdoors and environment this weekend with these events