Stay up-to-date with DNR
The DNR is committed to ensuring that our guests and staff continue to have safe and memorable outdoor experiences at our state parks, state forests, fish & wildlife areas, nature preserves and state recreation areas in light of COVID-19. We are following the lead of the Indiana State Department of Health and many local county health departments as we monitor the virus and its potential impacts on DNR properties.
View what is open, closed and canceled>>
DNR properties resume entrance fees, reopen riding trails and restrooms
Turkey Run, Shades and Indiana Dunes state parks, and Deam Lake and Starve Hollow state recreation areas have resumed collecting entrance fees. All other DNR properties will begin charging entrance fees no later than May 15. Find out what else is opening.
 Virtual programs bring State Parks to your home
Instead of working on the frontline at state parks these days, interpretive naturalists are working online.
As a result, at-home “park visitors” who are unable to enjoy state park features interpreters normally provide, like in-person nature hikes and programs, can enjoy virtual hikes, presentations, and live streaming programs from their homes.
Virtual events include wildflower walks, nature talks, history programs, craft tutorials, pre-school programs, property tours, and more. Program length ranges from five to 50 minutes. Find out more.
Parks to Kids Day on May 16
The Indiana DNR will digitally celebrate the annual “Kids to Parks” day – now called Parks to Kids Day!
Let us bring Indiana State Parks to your home on May 16. Virtual programs can be found on individual park Facebook pages. View a comprehensive list on the Indiana DNR Virtual Programs page.
Online activities such as word searches, scavenger hunts, coloring pages, crafts, and much more can be found on the Indiana DNR “For Kids” page.
 Photo by Greg Sommer, Ridgeville
DHPA announces winners of photo contest
In honor of the state’s Historic Preservation Month, which is May, the DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) has announced the winners of its annual Historic Preservation Month photo contest. View the winning photos.
May weather brings about a fishing frenzy
May is a wonderful time to go fishing – longer, sunny days mean the water is warming, and the fish are biting.
Not sure what to use as bait or a lure? As active as fish are now, they aren’t picky. They’ll bite artificial lures like spinners, jigs, and flies. Small hooks with red worms, bee moths, or crickets also work. Some aquatic insects will be hatching, so you may wish to match the hatch. The best thing to do is get out there and wet a line. Find out more about fishing in Indiana.
2019-20 license extensions end May 22
The extension for 2019-20 annual licenses and stamps per Indiana Executive Order 20-08 ends May 22 at 11:59 p.m. After this date, those wishing to hunt and/or fish will need a valid 2020-21 license. Buy yours online or at a local retailer.
 Grow your backyard habitat
The best way you can help wildlife is to keep them wild and provide excellent habitat for them. Native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees are ideal landscaping choices for wildlife. These plants provide both direct and indirect sources of food by bearing edible fruit, leaves, and host sites for insects eaten by songbirds and other animals. As the planting season starts, consider incorporating native plants on your landscape. Learn more.
 Enter to win a Cabela's gift card
Participate in the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF) photo challenge, and we'll enter you in a raffle to win a $100 gift card to Cabela's. To enter:
- Follow our page on Facebook.
- Post a photo on Facebook of yourself or your friends and family spending time outdoors, or a nature photo you took.
- Tag Indiana Natural Resources Foundation and use #INnaturechallenge in your post.
- Tag a friend and nominate them to do the challenge as well.
That's it. The challenge runs May 11-15, and a winner will be chosen at random from all of the participants. The lucky winner will be announced the following week on the INRF Facebook page.
 Need help identifying a fish?
Ever reeled in a line and had no idea what was on the other end? Send us the details and we’ll figure it out for you. Fill out our fish identification form and send photos or video to fishid@dnr.IN.gov.
 Get your hands on Indiana's best outdoor magazine
The May-June issue of Outdoor Indiana magazine features hummingbirds. Read excerpts or get the whole thing and five other issues when you subscribe.
 |
|
The Foundation celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds to support the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and its programs.
|
|
