Indiana Archaeology Month starts Sept. 1
September marks the 24th annual statewide celebration of Archaeology Month, an opportunity for all ages to learn about archaeology in Indiana.
Hoosier history buffs can meet archaeologists and learn about the state’s past at events held by universities, museums and other organizations and individuals throughout Indiana.
 Rescued raptors call Patoka Lake Nature Center home
Learn about how the eagle, red-tailed hawk and screech owl found their homes at Patoka Lake. Dana Reckelhoff, Interpretive Naturalist and “Mother of the Birds,” tells their stories in the first of a series of blogs posts. Read their unique stories and find out how you can help the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation build these amazing creatures a new shelter.
 Redbird SRA reopens
Redbird State Recreation Area (SRA), which primarily serves off-road vehicle (ORV) riders, reopened on Aug. 9.
Redbird SRA has been closed to the public since March 11 in order to pave a former mining road, phase one of a project that will allow for construction of a new entrance and office building with a gatehouse. The new entrance will allow visitors better access to the property’s trails and has been part of a long-term plan for years.
Redbird SRA made several improvements during the closure. These included repair and establishment of multiple drainage areas on the most popular trails to provide a more sustainable surface. Staff also continue to work on three miles of new single-track trails for dirt bikers. These new trails will open to the public when complete.
Ouabache SP fire tower dedicated on Aug. 23
Ouabache State Park hosted a dedication celebrating the restoration of its iconic fire tower on Aug. 23.
The Friends of Ouabache State Park group raised $75,000 to fund restoration of the tower and the construction of a plaza and ADA accessible sidewalk with commemorative bricks and seating. The group also raised an additional $8,000 for landscaping around the tower and is replacing benches around the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) statue at the park to match the benches at the fire tower.
Ouabache’s fire tower was built in the 1930s by CCC Camp S-93 to help people spot wildfires in the area. It is open to guests now.
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 Upcoming guided field day hikes
Hike as many as you like or all of them.
The Division of Nature Preserves is teaming with some of its partner organizations and land trusts to hold a series of hikes on nature preserves. We hope you can join us to see some of Indiana’s finest natural areas.
Attendance is free, but registration is required.
Join a Master Naturalist Class
Several Master Naturalist classes are being offered around the state starting in September. Classes provide you with many hands-on opportunities to learn about Hoosier natural resources. They also provide a way for you to share that knowledge, along with your life experiences, through volunteer service.
Learn to fish
Hoosiers interested in learning how to fish or how to cook their catch are invited to attend one of our upcoming fishing workshops:
Sept. 7 – Learn to Catch & Cook, Driftwood State Fish Hatchery
Sept. 12 – Learn to Kayak Fish, Bloomington
Sept. 14 – Fishing Triathlon, Indianapolis
Sept. 21 – Family Learn to Shoot and Fish, Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area
Sept. 21 – Learn to Catch & Cook, Fort Wayne
Sept. 26 – Learn to Kayak Fish, Indianapolis
Sept. 27 – Learn to Fly Fish, Fort Wayne
Sept. 28 – Learn to Catch & Cook, Krannert Park
Interested in learning to hunt or shoot?
Are you new to hunting or interested in learning how to hunt a different species? Do you or a friend want to learn how to shoot in a safe, controlled environment? Consider attending one of our upcoming workshops:
Sept. 7 – Learn to Hunt: Dove, Blue Grass Fish & Wildlife Area
Sept. 7 – After the Shot: Tips for Tracking and Recovering Deer, Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area
Sept. 7 – Learn to Hunt: Squirrel, North Vernon
Sept. 21 – Learn to Hunt: Waterfowl, Evansville
Sept. 21 – Family Learn to Shoot and Fish, Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area
Sept. 29 – Learn to Shoot: Archery Workshop, Deer Creek Fish and Wildlife Area
 Reserve a spot for put-and-take pheasant
You can reserve a spot for put-and-take pheasant hunts on designated DNR properties starting on Sept. 7 at 6 a.m. The cost is $30 per reservation. Participating properties this year include: Atterbury, Glendale, J.E. Roush Lake, Pigeon River, Tri-County, Willow Slough, and Winamac Fish & Wildlife Areas.
You can make your reservation online by clicking on Register Now under Reserved Hunts. You do not need to log in or have an online account to purchase a reservation. Reservations are non-refundable, but can be transferred to another person. All hunters are required to have a current Indiana Hunting License and Gamebird Habitat Stamp to participate in pheasant hunting.
Wuestefeld named director of DNR Fish & Wildlife
Amanda Wuestefeld, who has worked full-time in the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife for more than 25 years, was promoted to division director. Wuestefeld replaces Mark Reiter, who retired in July.
She is the first woman to hold the position for Indiana DNR Fish & Wildlife.
For the past five years, Wuestefeld has served as the assistant division director. Before that, she served as the Hoosier Outdoor Heritage coordinator for eight years. In that capacity, she led the launch of the division’s first hunting recruitment program to introduce young adults to the sport.
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 National Public Lands Day is Sept. 28
This is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. Celebrate by helping a DNR property near you. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, discover new things and do something good for Indiana's natural and cultural resources. Volunteers who work with our interpretive naturalists provide valuable assistance in many ways. We make every effort to match your skills and interests with our needs.
NRC meets at Fort Harrison State Park
The Natural Resources Commission will conduct its regular bi-monthly meeting on Sept. 17 at The Garrison Conference Center. The agenda will be posted before the meeting.
 Subscribe to Outdoor Indiana Magazine
The new Outdoor Indiana features a cover article on covered bridges. Outdoor Indiana was recently honored as the nation’s second-best State-run conservation magazine by the Association for Conservation Information. Read excerpts and subscribe today
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The Foundation celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds to support the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and its programs.
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