Get "bio-blitzed" at Brown County SP, June 5-7

A “bio-blitz”, an attempt to secure a detailed inventory of nature, will be jam-packed into one weekend at Brown County State Park, June 5-7.

The goal is to take stock of every living plant and animal species in the nearly 16,000 acres of Brown County State Park; you can help. A traditional bioblitz lasts 24 hours, but because the park is so large, the bioblitz is scheduled to run all weekend.

Brown County State Park needs volunteers to assist scientists and naturalists who will lead this inaugural event. Many volunteering will see areas of the park that are normally off limits to the public. The effort will yield a valuable record of common as well as rare, endangered and exotic (plant) species living in the park; it will help property staff to learn more about what resources are present and aid in better resource management decision-making.

"This will be a fun and important event," said Jim Eagleman, the park’s interpretive naturalist. "It will give us a snapshot of the biodiversity of Indiana's largest state park. We encourage anyone who enjoys nature and the outdoors to volunteer; learning from today’s scientists about their area of expertise will be a bonus!”, he said.

Those visitors concerned about the physical demands of volunteering may wish to attend a talk with a researcher. Public programs presented by the park interpretive staff will highlight species being discovered during the 3-day event; visitors can also learn what environmental demands are facing today’s botanists and biologists.

The park's Nature Center will serve as base camp, stocked with coffee, refreshments, field guides, computers, microscopes, and species’ tally sheets. All inventoried sites will be recorded with GPS coordinates.

Those interested in participating are asked to register online at www.bcbioblitz.com. Gate fee of $5 per in-state vehicle and $7 per out-of-state vehicle will be charged.

The Closet Needs Boys Clothes!

The Closet at Wells County Family Centered Services is in desperate need of boys clothes for spring and summer, sizes 0 to 6X.
Donations may be dropped off at 123 S. Marion Street. Or call 824-8574 and ask for Keely.

Aquatic “weedroller” use may require permit

Indiana DNR Release:

Lakefront property owners using a device known as a “weedroller” to remove aquatic plants from Indiana lakes may need a permit from the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, depending on the size of the affected area.
A weedroller is an electrically operated, mechanical device that attaches to a pier and rolls along the bottom, cutting off plants with a series of fins. It is often marketed as an alternative to chemical herbicides (http://www.weedroller.com/).

According to Indiana law, lake residents must obtain aquatic weed control permits if they remove more than 625 square feet of vegetation, including lily pads, submersed plants, and even algae. A permit is not required if the affected area is less than 625 square feet (25 feet x 25 feet).

A typical weedroller comes in three 7-foot sections and can clear an arc with a 21-foot radius, or 692 square feet, if mounted in a single position along one side of a pier.
“Moving a weedroller to multiple locations or adding sections could also easily exceed the 625 square foot limit,” said Jed Pearson, DNR fisheries biologist. “In that case, a permit would be required.
“The exemption from a permit is only to allow a lake resident to create a weed-free area around a pier or beach; however, aquatic plants are important to the ecology of a lake, so we want to provide some level of protection for them.”

An application for a weed control permit, which costs $5, can be found at
http://www.in.gov/dnr/htm.

Although no permit is required for areas less than 625 square feet, biologists are concerned about improper operation of a weedroller, regardless of the size of the area.
“If the target plant is Eurasian water milfoil, cutting it could make the problem worse,” Pearson said. “Milfoil can reproduce from plant fragments. Every piece a weedroller cuts is a potential new milfoil plant.”
Plant fragments could also create drifting mats of vegetation that pile up and rot along neighboring frontages. As a result, anyone who uses a weedroller is responsible for picking up and disposing of plant fragments.
Plant fragmentation might be reduced if a weedroller is installed early and used continuously.
In some cases, a weedroller may also stir up sediment and cause water-quality problems.
“Reports on the product's Web site that no permits are required in Indiana are not true,” Pearson said. “Lake residents need to be aware of permit requirements before paying the expense to buy and operate one. Limits may also be placed on their use depending on the type of plant and the area where it is located.”

Kid's Fishing Derbies

Children ages two to 14 are welcome to participate in on of the Fishing Derbies at the three Upper Wabash Reservoirs — Roush Lake, Salamonie Lake, and Mississinewa Lake — June 6 during the statewide Free Fishing Weekend. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with fishing from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Award ceremonies will follow.
Children will be divided into age categories two to five, six to 10 and 11 to 14. Each child will go home with a prize. Children should pre-register for the free events by calling 260-468-2127.

DNR Fish & Wildlife director takes job with Feds

Glen Salmon, director of the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife for the past seven years, has announced he is retiring after 32 years with the state agency to accept a position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Washington, D.C.

“This is really exciting,” said Salmon, who will become deputy director for the federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. “This is a chance to do some stuff on the national level, to continue a great relationship between the states and the Service on this program, and hopefully just make that even stronger.”

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program provides oversight and administrative support for 10 federal grant programs that cover wildlife, sport fish, boating, coastal wetlands conservation, landowner conservation incentives, and tribal activities.
“It’s going to be different,” said Salmon, who will remain with DNR through June. “They have a great culture in the Service, but we have an incredible culture here (in DNR).”

Salmon managed a staff of 230 DNR employees that includes biologists, property managers, staff specialists, and natural resource educators. The division oversees 21 fish and wildlife areas, eight fish hatcheries, numerous other conservation areas, and hundreds of public access boat ramps.
The division also is responsible for the management of wild animal populations on both public land and private property.

“Glen is a positive, upbeat, consummate public servant who never sought to gloss over difficult circumstances,” DNR Director Robert E. Carter Jr. said.
Salmon joined the DNR in 1977. His first position was at Cikana State Fish Hatchery near Martinsville. He later worked at Mixsawbah State Fish Hatchery near Walkerton before returning to Cikana to become assistant hatchery manager in 1980. He moved to the DNR central office in Indianapolis in 1980 as a staff specialist and was promoted to assistant division director in 1998 before becoming division director in 2002.

Salmon cited the acquisition of Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area and a land-use agreement for Fairbanks Landing Fish and Wildlife Area as two of the highlights of his tenure.

Mushrooom festival, Brown County State Park, May 2

Brown County State Park will celebrate a Hoosier delicacy with its third annual morel mushroom festival, one of it most popular nature events, May 2.

The festival features guided hikes to find the elusive fungus, as well as music, an arts-and- crafts fair, and children’s events. A cooking demonstration, a contest for the largest morel mushroom found in the park, and a geocache hike also will be part of the fun.
Live Indiana birds of prey will be featured at 5 p.m, with local wildlife rehabilitation specialists from Return to the Wild. After that, local rock musicians Jack Morel and the Spores will perform.

If you're not experienced at finding morels, you're still covered—The Friends of Brown County State Park group will sell them at the park Nature Center, starting at 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit the park.

No fee is charged for this program; however, normal weekend gate admission fees of $5 per in-state vehicle and $7 per out-of-state vehicle will be required.
For more information, go to www.morelmushroomfestival.com or call (812) 988-5240.

Sports Round Up

River Runners to hold races
The Ouabache River Runners will be hosting the Spring Training 10- and 5-mile race on Saturday, April 18 at Ouabache State Park. Races will start at 9 a.m. Runners and walkers are asked to park at the swimming pool parking lot. For more information, call Mac McAvoy at 450-1071 or e-mail at macmcavoy@gmail.com.

Basketball camp at Huntington
The Huntington University Forester Basketball Camp will be held July 6-10 in the university gymnasium for boys or girls entering grades K-9. Cost is $85 for K-3 and $90 for 4-9. Times are 1:30-3 p.m. for K-3, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for 4-6, and 8-10 a.m. for 7-9. Sign up before June 1 and receive a $10 discount. Call 260-359-4292 for a brochure or register online at www.huntington.edu/athletics/mbasketball

Parker helps Silver Hawks gain split
Designated hitter Justin Parker doubled and scored in the second game of the South Bend Silver Hawks’ doubleheader against Lansing Wednesday night at South Bend to give the Silver Hawks a split. The Silver Hawks (2-4) won 4-2 in the nightcap.
In the first game, Parker played third base and had two hits, including a double, and drove in one run. However, the Silver Hawks lost 3-1. The Lugnuts are now 1-5.

Calumet wrestling coach named
WHITING, Ind. (AP) — Former Indiana high school champion and University of Minnesota All-American Leroy Vega has been named wrestling coach at Calumet College.
It’s the first college head coaching job for the 30-year-old Vega, who was an assistant at Minnesota for two years and then ran his own wrestling club in his hometown of Portage, Ind.
Vega was an undefeated state high school champion at 103 pounds in 1996 and at 112 pounds in 1997, compiling a combined 96-0 record over those two seasons. He was a captain on two NCAA champion teams at Minnesota.
Calumet is an NAIA Division II school of about 1,200 students.
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Information from: The Times, http://nwitimes.com
Evansville signs Anderson senior
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Anderson High School’s Troy Taylor has signed a basketball letter of intent with Evansville’s Aces.
The 6-foot senior was a three-year starter and averaged 21.1 points and 9.8 rebounds last season.
He also led the Indians to their first sectional tourney championship in six years and was an honorable-mention All-State pick by The Associated Press.