DNR recommends removal of birdfeeders statewide

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has received reports of sick and dying songbirds from 50 counties, including Brown County. As the investigation continues, the DNR recommends all Hoosiers remove their birdfeeders statewide.

The 50 counties are Allen, Bartholomew, Benton, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Clinton, Decatur, Delaware, Elkhart, Fayette, Floyd, Gibson, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Ohio, Orange, Parke, Porter, Pulaski, Putnam, Shelby, Starke, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe, Union, Vanderburgh, Washington and Whitley.

The DNR is working with the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (IN ADDL) and the USGS National Wildlife Health Center to determine the birds’ cause of death. The affected songbirds showed neurological signs of illness as well as eye swelling and crusty discharge.

All bird samples submitted have tested negative for avian influenza and West Nile virus. Final laboratory diagnostic results are pending.

The following steps are recommended statewide:

• Use the DNR sick/dead wildlife reporting tool at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife to alert DNR staff.
• Stop feeding birds until the mortality event has concluded.
• Clean feeders and baths with a 10 percent bleach solution.
• Avoid handling birds. If you need to handle birds, wear disposable gloves.
• When removing dead birds, wear disposable gloves and place birds and gloves in a sealable plastic bag to dispose with household trash.
• Keep pets away from sick or dead birds as a precaution.

Food preservation series to be offered online

WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue Extension’s Mastering Home Food Preservation team is hosting a home food preservation virtual learning series, “Preserve It Now … Enjoy It Later!”

Those interested in advancing their skills in home preservation are invited to join virtually from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays beginning July 13 and ending Aug. 10. Each session will include a short presentation, interactive discussion, a food preservation demonstration and time for questions and answers.

The schedule is: July 13, equipment; July 20, salsa; July 27, pickling; Aug. 3, pressure canning; Aug. 10, jam and jelly.

A registration fee of $30 provides access to all five sessions. Register online. All sessions will be recorded and available to view at a later time. Contact Karen Richey at [email protected] for more information and accommodations.

Bicycle fest in Nashville set for August

The Brown County Barn Burner and Brown County Bikes, 185 S. Jefferson St., will host a Brown County Community Bike Festival on Saturday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be free activities, food, entertainment, bike safety basics and maintenance workshops, pump track and bike skills courses, and demo bikes to try. This free, community-wide event is suitable for all ages and skill levels.

The event will be based at 185 S. Jefferson St., but includes activities and other locations through town, including Lincoln Pinch Park (at the corner of Johnson and Washington streets) and the Brown County YMCA.

For more information, visit bcbarnburner.com/bike-fest.

Run-bike duathlon set at state park in August

The Brown County YMCA will host a duathlon at Brown County State Park on Sunday, Aug. 29.

Participants will meet at the fire tower and partake in a series of physical challenges: A 5K road run, 10-mile road bike ride and 2.2-mile trail run.

Registration begins at 6 a.m., the race meeting is at 7:25 a.m. and the race starts at 7:30 a.m.

For more information, visit facebook.com/events/161883462540555.

Women’s mountain biking weekend planned

Brown County Bikes will host Campside Sessions Women’s Mountain Bike Camp Friday through Sunday, Sept. 10 to 12, at Brown County State Park.

Participants will learn new mountain bike skills from professional coaches and meet other women who share the interest. The cost is $295 and includes guided skills coaching, primitive camping onsite, swag bag, giveaways and more.

The meal plan is $125 and includes breakfast, lunch and dinner for Saturday and lunch on Sunday.

For more information, visit dnkpresents.com/event/campside-sessions-womens-mountain-bike-camp-4.