Mountain bikers' donation will help Brown County SP fight invasives

Indiana DNR Release:

The Brown County Native Woodlands Project (BCNWP) has received a $1,000 grant from the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) to help eradicate invasive plant species in Brown County State Park.

Last year, HMBA and BCNWP volunteers began a program to get rid of Japanese stiltgrass, an invasive plant that has spread throughout the park along hiking, biking and horse trails, as well as roadsides, creek beds and fire roads. The grant will continue that effort this year.

HMBA member Len Logterman, now an official board member of the BCNWP representing the interests of HMBA, helped orchestrate the donation, which was presented Jan. 20.

“My intent in getting this donation was as much about creating publicity for the cause as the actual money involved” Logterman said.

He said he hopes other groups with interest in Brown County State Park will follow through with donations and volunteer help.

"Natural resource protection is part of the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association's mission statement,” said HMBA president Paul Arlinghaus. “In addition to the financial donation, HMBA is committing our volunteers to the fight against invasive species.”

This is the first donation of its kind, according to Ruth Ann Ingraham BCNWP chair.

“It is a step along the path toward protecting the county’s forests from the onslaught of non-native invasive plant species. The BCNWP (BCNWP.org) is deeply grateful for the commitment of HMBA.”

Ginger Murphy, DNR State Parks & Reservoirs assistant director for stewardship, said this donation is an excellent example of local organizations and individuals getting involved and helping accomplish shared goals.