Indiana Department of Natural Resources

See live birds of prey up close such as owls or hawks at the DNR building of the Indiana State Fair. This free program takes place everyday at 4:30p in the DNR’s amphitheater. See today’s schedule of events at bit.ly/4d51HFD.

INDIANA HISTORIC RESOURCES: This year, the Indiana State Fair theme is “The Art & Nature of Fun” presented by Newfields. This week, the Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) will highlight Indiana's historic resources that contribute to both art and nature. Be sure to visit the DNR Building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. We hope to see you on one of our architectural trolley tours!

The Minnetrista Boulevard Historic District in Muncie is a collection of five distinguished homes related to the Ball family. Standing along the boulevard are the Edmund B. and Bertha C. Ball Home, the William C. and Emma Ball Home, the George A. and Frances Ball Home, the Lucius L. and Sarah Ball Home, and the Mary Lincoln Cottage. The Ball family relocated to Muncie during the Midwest Gas Boom and established their Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company. The district also includes several bronze sculpted fountains, and gardens. The Minnetrista Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its association with the Ball Family and their philanthropic activities and contributions.

Learn more about the National and State Registers at on.IN.gov/state-and-national-register.

Breaking the 2017 Indiana state record, Fort Wayne resident Kyle Hammond landed a 9-pound, 11-ounce spotted gar from Rivir Lake at Chain O Lakes State Park. Using a spinning rod and reel with a white zoom fluke, Hammond bested the former record in July. The Hoosier angler also holds the shortnose gar state record from 2021.

• For more about the record: bit.ly/3X5k345
• Find where specific Indiana sportfish are most abundant: on.IN.gov/fishing-trends.
• Buy your Indiana fishing license: on.IN.gov/fishinglicense

Immerse yourself in Indiana's breathtaking beauty while enjoying amazing discounts with Indiana State Park Inns. Book now through August 29, 2024, for stays Sunday-Thursday and get 25% off the Best Available Rate. Some restrictions may apply. Reserve your stay today at IndianaInns.com or call 1.877.LODGES1.

Discover swallowtails, monarchs, cabbage whites and other butterflies and moths in the DNR Butterfly Garden at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. See today’s schedule of events at the DNR building of the Indiana State Fair at bit.ly/4dq7hCr

HISTORIC INDIANA RESOURCES: This year, the Indiana State Fair theme is “The Art & Nature of Fun” presented by Newfields. This week, the Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) will highlight Indiana's historic resources that contribute to both art and nature. Be sure to visit the DNR Building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. We hope to see you on one of our architectural trolley tours!

The Kokomo Glass Works (also known as Kokomo Opalescent Glass) opened in 1888. Due to the area’s abundance of natural gas and the boom the region received as a result, the complex is the oldest producer of opalescent glass in the United States and is still active today distributing their product worldwide. The furnace room contains a 12-pot furnace that was used to run sheet glass. The hot glass studio produces various products through glass blowing. In front of the complex is the administration building that contains offices. Charles Henry showcased this glass to the World’s Fair in Paris in 1889, which became highly sought-after for glass products. The Kokomo Glass Works was listed in the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures in 2020 and is still in operation, offering tours and classes to the public.

Learn more about the National and State Registers at on.IN.gov/state-and-national-register.

If you enjoy viewing or feeding wildlife around your home as well as taking steps to prevent wildlife-related damage to your property, DNR needs your help. We’re looking for volunteers to track wildlife sightings around their home so we can study the economic impact of wildlife in Indiana. Each selected volunteer will receive a logbook to report wildlife encounters and related activities—like repairing damage—and expenditures. If you are interested in helping us improve management of Indiana’s diverse wildlife resources, sign up at bit.ly/4cbiK7Z.

See live birds of prey up close such as owls or hawks at the DNR building of the Indiana State Fair. This free program takes place everyday at 4:30p in the DNR’s amphitheater. See today’s schedule of events at bit.ly/3Ythd9Q

HISTORIC INDIANA RESOURCES: This year, the Indiana State Fair theme is “The Art & Nature of Fun” presented by Newfields. This week, the Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) will highlight Indiana's historic resources that contribute to art and nature. Be sure to visit the DNR building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center this week - we hope to see you on one of our architectural trolley tours!

Theodore Clement (T.C.) Steele is one of Indiana’s most significant artists known for his bucolic landscape paintings and as a member of the Hoosier Group. His boyhood home in Waveland, Montgomery County is a modest Greek Revival building where he lived for 18 years and completed portraits of family members, friends, and prominent citizens in the area. His house and studio in Nashville, Brown County was constructed in 1907, and he and his second wife, Selma Neubacher Steele named it the House of Singing Winds. The large studio was constructed in 1916. The site, which features gardens designed by Selma, is now an Indiana State Historic Site that is open to the public. Both his boyhood home and house and studio are listed in the National Register of Historic Places - NPS.

Learn more about the National and State Registers at on.IN.gov/state-and-national-register.

DNR and the City of Fort Wayne Government celebrated the construction start of the 1.70-mile Pufferbelly Trail today. Funded with help from a $2.7 million Next Level Trails grant through Governor Eric Holcomb's Next Level Connections, the new asphalt multi-use trail will complete a gap between Washington Center and Lima roads. After construction, the Pufferbelly Trail will extend more than 13 miles from downtown Fort Wayne to the county line and connect 130 miles of existing trails in the Fort Wayne area. More: bit.ly/3WULaic.

This year, the Indiana State Fair theme is “The Art & Nature of Fun” presented by Newfields. This week, the Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) will highlight Indiana's historic resources that contribute to both art and nature. Be sure to visit the DNR Building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. We hope to see you on one of our architectural trolley tours!

Newfields’ location outside downtown Indianapolis is centered around the former Oldfields estate, an early 20th century American Country Home for the Hugh McKennan Landon family. Constructed between 1909 and 1913 by architect and engineer Lewis Ketcham Davis, it originally included a home with gardens, a greenhouse, a tennis court, and several ancillary buildings. Between 1920 and 1925, the Landons hired Percival Gallagher, a member of the Olmsted Brothers firm, to design the landscape of Oldfields. The Lilly family purchased the property in 1933 following the death of Landon’s second wife. The Lilly’s hired Frederick William Wallick to renovate the house, expanding it but maintaining the overall style and feel of the original design.

Both the house and gardens are open to the public as part of the Newfields campus, and it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003.

Learn more about DHPA at dnr.IN.gov/historic-preservation.

Kids can fish for free at the Fishin' Pond behind the DNR building of the Indiana State Fair. The catch-and-release fishing is open to kids ages 5-17 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET and from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. ET. Equipment is provided. See DNR's schedule of events for today at bit.ly/46AyjEP.

REPORTING INVASIVE SPECIES REPORTING: Throughout the year, the Indiana DNR surveys many lakes and rivers but can’t see everything that happens at all of our important outdoor resources. We need your help. Many invasive species have entered Indiana or are a threat to our state. You can fight back by learning the signs, reporting sightings, and taking precautions.

If you believe you have spotted an invasive species, report it and, if possible, get pictures to assist in expert identification. You can report invasive plant or animal species by calling 1-866-NO EXOTIC (1-866-663-9684). by using the online EDDMaps portal at eddmaps.org.

ZEBRA MUSSELS: Zebra mussels are a high priority invasive species in Indiana. Zebra mussels can grow in very dense clusters and attach to any hard surface from rocks to a boat hull to other animals, including other mussels. Because they grow so densely packed, zebra mussels can clog water intake pipes, and change a lake’s ecology by filtering the water’s algae and detritus which can shift a lake from algae-dominated to plant-dominated. They can also negatively affect threatened native mussels though their competitive usage of space and food.

Learn more about aquatic invasive invertebrates at dnr.IN.gov/rules-and-regulations/invasive-species/aquatic-invasive-species-invertebrates.

More than 4,800 Hoosier students from 57 schools will learn about the outdoors thanks to the Discover the Outdoors Field Trip Grant. Administered by the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, the grants will help fund field trips to Indiana State Parks. See the list of receiving schools at bit.ly/3LLHt7U.

The 2024 Indiana State Fair begins today! Stop by the DNR building where you can watch a birds of prey show, visit our Butterfly Gardens, see some of our returning state fair fish and much more! See our list of programs for Aug. 2 at bit.ly/46tuq4E.

This 93.78-acre addition to Lydick Bog Nature Preserve in north St. Joseph County was funded through support from the Next Level Conservation Trust.

Have you heard the exciting news? We've added 93.78 acres to Lydick Bog Nature Preserve in South Bend. The new acquisition brings the total protected acreage at the property to 271 acres. Planning is underway for new trail access for visitors and residents. Read all about it: https://heinzetrust.org/2024/07/31/lydick-bog-nature-preserve-expanding-by-93-acres/

Watch a Civil War Union Soldier living history performance, identify trees or see a quilt show, Aug. 3-4. See more Indiana DNR activities at events.IN.gov/dnr.
Sat., Aug. 3
• Billy Yank - Common Soldier for the Union, Chain O Lakes State Park, 2p ET, bit.ly/3ykeh4G
• Tree ID Hike, Fort Harrison State Park, ET, bit.ly/4ffCDND
Sun., Aug. 4
• Quilt Show, Spring Mill State Park, Noon ET, bit.ly/4f80K0V
• Guided Hike, Deam Lake State Recreation Area, 9a ET, bit.ly/3Wrpys3

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES: Aquatic invasive concerns facing Indiana in the future will likely originate from many different sources including the movement of aquatic plants from boating and fishing activities and aquarium or pond releases, just to name a few. These sources have led to the introduction of several invasive plants that now are overabundant and drastically changing the habitat and accessibility to fishing and boating.

The left photo by Sarah Orlando, Ohio Sea Grant, is curly-leaf pondweed that is easily moved around on boats and other recreational equipment. Curly-leaf pondweed is one of the most abundant aquatic invasive plants found in Indiana waters. The right photo is a boater removing plants from outboard motor before leaving the boat landing. Photo by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. Learn more at stopaquatichitchhikers.org.

INVASIVE CARP: These rapidly invading fish species were introduced by accidental release from aquaculture ponds along the lower Mississippi River. They have been moving their way up the Midwest's large river systems and are now commonly found in many Indiana rivers including the Ohio River, Wabash River, and White River systems and tributaries.

The DNR has been addressing the threat these fish pose to native ecosystems through engagement with the Invasive Carp Regional Coordination Committee- (invasivecarp.us). We are focused on keeping Invasive carp, commonly referred to as Asian Carp, out of the Great Lakes, understanding and limiting impacts and preventing further expansion of these species

Whether done intentionally or accidentally, the potential introduction of Asian carp into Indiana’s water bodies is a very real threat. The DNR is diligently working to reduce invasive carp impacts on our rivers and streams. Everyone can help stop the spread of invasive carp by staying educated about where these fish exist and how to properly identify them. Learn more at on.IN.gov/invasive-carp

Indiana’s second shipwreck nature preserve, the Muskegon, was recently commemorated offshore from the Indiana Dunes National Park's Mount Baldy. The passenger freighter turned commercial goods transport was abandoned on Lake Michigan after a 1910 hull fire and sank in 30-35 feet of water.

The Muskegon was listed as Indiana’s first shipwreck on the National Register of Historic Places - NPS in 1989. Establishing the wreck as an official nature preserve helps promote shipwrecks as important scientific, cultural, and recreational resources for our state and region.

Learn more about the dedication at bit.ly/3LNfIvU.

Learn more about the Muskegon and other Indiana shipwrecks at IndianaShipwrecks.org.

Discover Indiana’s natural, cultural and recreational resources at the DNR Building at the Indiana State Fair, Aug. 2-18. Cool off in our air-conditioned building while seeing live birds of prey and reptiles, watching a program about everything from nature journaling to planting native or talking to a DNR expert. On the weekends, bring the kids ages 5-17 for free fishing at the Fishin’ Pond behind the building.

See DNR’s programs at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center at on.IN.gov/dnr-state-fair.

Summer is in full swing in Indiana and as boaters prepare for various activities on the water, DNR would like you to remind you to Clean. Drain. Dry.

Invasive species are non-native animals, plants, microorganisms and even pathogens that can out-compete or hurt the state’s native plants and wildlife, harming the environment, human health and businesses. They come to Our state through various ways including on car tires, on boat hulls and motors, on hikers’ boots, through the pet trade and many other ways. Some of the worst live in the water. More: on.IN.gov/ais.

This week is Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Awareness Week and we are highlighting the growing concern about them. What is an invasive species? Non-native species that cause harm to the environment, human health, or the economy are collectively known as invasive species. Over the last 50 years, human activity has increased the rate at which harmful species are introduced as pets, ornamental plants, crops, food, or for recreation, pest control or other purposes.
AIS are the plants, animals and diseases that damage our fisheries, competing with native fish and changing water habitats. Each species offers its own challenges in management and control when they are introduced to Indiana waters. Here are some things you can do to help:
• Clean - remove plants, debris and mud before leaving the access area. Preventing them from making it to your next boating/fishing local.
• Drain - remove all drain plugs and drain all water from bilges, ballast tanks, and live wells before transporting a watercraft.
• Dry - let boats and equipment dry for 5 days when possible before you go to a new waterbody.

Learn how AIS affects our lakes, rivers and streams and what you can do to help prevent their spread them at on.IN.gov/AIS.

VASCULAR PLANT FAMILIES - SUNFLOWERS: The most well represented vascular plant family in Indiana is the sunflower (or aster, daisy, or composite) family, known as the Asteraceae (formerly Compositae).

There are approximately 330 sunflower family species in Indiana. Essentially all are herbaceous plants, though some are herbaceous vines. An astonishing 32,000 sunflower family species are found worldwide, ranking it either the largest or second largest plant family globally (the orchid family, Orchidaceae, has a similar number of species). Sunflower family plants around the world grow as herbs, shrubs, trees, and vines. With so many species, it should be no surprise that the sunflower family is important economically, with lettuce, artichokes, sunflower seeds, chamomile, echinacea, tarragon, chrysanthemums, dahlias, zinnias, and many, many others being in this family.

Characteristics that are common to all sunflower family plants include having flowers that are in heads, with all flowers sharing a common receptacle, and having an o***y that is inferior (attached below the corolla and calyx). Sunflower family flowerheads can be ligulate (possessing only ray flowers, which are strap-shaped), discoid (possessing only disc flowers, which are tubular), or radiate (possessing ray flowers around the disc flowers). With so many variations come a variety of floral colors. Common native sunflower family plants include giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus, false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), butterweed (Packera glabella), tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima), annual fleabane (Erigeron annuus), and frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum). Common non-native sunflower family plants include common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), lesser burdock (Arctium minus), and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense).

Click on the photo to learn more about that sunflower species.

Learn more about Indiana's nature preserves at dnr.IN.gov/nature-preserves.

VASCULAR PLANT FAMILIES - GRASSES: With an estimated 290 species in Indiana, the grass family, known as the Poaceae (formerly Graminae), ranks as the second most well represented vascular plant family in Indiana. Indiana grasses are herbaceous to woody. Over 12,000 species in the grass family around found worldwide, ranking it the fifth largest family globally. Without grasses, our lives as humans would be difficult, if we were to exist at all. Important grasses include corn, wheat, rice, barley, rye, oats, millet, and bamboo, and grasses have been used for building materials (thatch) and to feed livestock (including as straw).

Characteristics common to all grasses include having leaves that are usually two-ranked (each consisting of a sheath that wraps around the stem and flattened blade, and arising from a joint, or node), flowers each with two scales beneath, and fruit known as a grain (or caryopsis). Grasses have their own set of terminology for their parts, so if you try to learn to identify grasses you’ll hear about glumes, lemmas, and paleas. Like sedges, grass flowers lack a corolla, but their inflorescences still are often quite attractive, making them desirable in landscaping.

Common native grasses in Indiana include big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), wood reed (Cinna arundinacea), poverty oatgrass (Danthonia spicata), old-field rosette grass (Dichanthelium huachucae), bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix), Virginia wild rye (Elymus virginicus), nodding fescue (Festuca subverticillata), fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and purpletop (Tridens flavus). Common non-native grasses include redtop (Agrostis gigantea), orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata), hairy crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), goosegrass (Eleusine indica), Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), timothy (Phleum pratense), Eurasian common reed (Phragmites australis), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), giant foxtail (Setaria faberi), Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), and Indiana’s most abundant grass, corn (Zea mays).

Click on the photo to learn more about that grass species.

Learn more about Indiana's nature preserves at dnr.IN.gov/nature-preserves.

Invasive Species Don’t Take A Break! Help prevent their spread by ensuring that firewood brought to DNR properties is debarked or kiln-dried scrap lumber. Or, buy USDA/state compliance-stamped firewood from DNR camp stores or vendors. Learn more about the DNR Firewood Rule at on.IN.gov/firewoodrule.