DNR gift ideas for who don't need more stuff

Indiana DNR Release:

The Indiana DNR has gift solutions for the person on your gift list who's more concerned about the state's outdoors than acquiring more stuff. Convenient contributions in that person's name can be made to support a number of outdoor causes.

Help schools fund field trips for children to Indiana state parks and reservoirs by donating to the Discovering the Outdoors Fund, administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation at http://www.IN.gov/ai/appfiles/inrf-donations/ and including "Discovering the Outdoors Fund" in the "In Honor Of/Memory Of" line.

Support the care of birds of prey used in educational programming at Patoka Lake, including fund-raising for support for a new permanently injured bald eagle to replace C52, which died this fall. Donate online at http://www.IN.gov/ai/appfiles/inrf-donations/ and place "C52" in the "In Honor of/Memory of" line, or call (812) 685-2447 for more information.

Support a person's favorite state park or reservoir with a financial gift in their honor by contacting Ginger Murphy, assistant director for stewardship in the Division of State Parks and Reservoirs, at (317) 232-4143, gmurphy@dnr.IN.gov, or writing to: State Parks and Reservoirs, 402 W. Washington St., Room W298, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Give a Friends Group membership to McCormick’s Creek, Spring Mill, Lincoln, Falls of the Ohio, Indiana Dunes, Mounds, Turkey Run/Shades or Brown County state parks, or to Hardy Lake, Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber SRA) or the Upper Wabash Reservoirs by contacting Murphy at the phone number or address above.

Support the Dwight Chamberlain Raptor Rehabilitation Center at Hardy Lake, where injured hawks and owls receive care and are released. Permanently injured birds are used in programming for schools and families. Contact Leslie Grow at (812) 794-3800.

Support land acquisition and a variety of other projects throughout the DNR by contributing to Indiana Heritage Trust. For more information, contact (317) 233-1002, nheinzelman@dnr.IN.gov, or write to: The Indiana Heritage Trust, 402 W. Washington, W256, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Make sure to give your child or grandchild the gift of a time for a winter hike, a hunting trip or a nature center visit at a state park, reservoir or state forest trail in January.

Written acknowledgments for donations can be provided, but may not be available until after the holiday season. For up-to-date information about happenings in the DNR, visit dnr.IN.gov.