Outdoor briefs
Craving adventure? Get ready to eXplore
eXplore Brown County, 2620 Valley Branch Road, will present several events in 2022. Visitors can ride 15 different zip lines offered on four unique tours.
“March Madness,” occurring March 14 through 31, will allow visitors to spot active animals as they zip over the trees.
“Hibernation is Over,” happening throughout the month of April, will welcome visitors as they spot animals that are awakening from hibernation.
“Bucket List Month,” running through the month of May, will feature Brown County cartoonist Ken Hubbard’s character Abe Martin. Guides will share the folk characters of Brown County through Hubbard’s humor and Martin’s words.
During the “School’s Out For Summer Celebration” in the month of June, visitors can explore Hoosier National Hardwood Forest with guides while they look for baby animals and share stories about Brown County’s past.
In the month of July, visitors can zip through the forest with headlamps for “Night Flights.” These trips are ideal for those afraid of heights, as they cannot see how high they are.
Team building activities, arrow tag and the mini-aerial adventure tour “Leap of Faith” will also be available this year.
Admission varies with each tour. Tickets and more information are available at www.explorebrowncounty.com.
Geese nesting season starts soon
Canada geese will begin to scout for nesting areas in February, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has advised.
They typically prefer to nest near water surrounded by short, mowed grass and return to previous nests. Well-kept lawns are ideal for providing food and sighting predators.
DNR encourages using harassment techniques, installing fencing and stopping supplemental feeding to prevent unwanted nesting.
State floodplain tool now available
A new state floodplain information portal is now available through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The Indiana Floodplain Information Portal is designed to show flood risks associated with bodies of water in Indiana. It also provides information for local and state floodplain permitting that is based on the regulatory floodplain limits “because floods exceeding the regulatory floodplain can and do occur,” according to the DNR.
Users can download a floodplain analysis and regulatory assessment directly from the DNR app, reducing wait times from 30 to 60 days to just minutes.
The option to file for staff review of the site is available only if the nearest stream’s drainage area is greater than one square mile and there is no mapped floodway; there is not a mapped floodplain on the nearest stream to the point of interest; there is no mapped floodway for the stream nearest the point of interest; or the point of interest is in a floodplain of another stream, but the stream nearest the point of interest does not have a mapped floodplain with a floodway of its own.
The new site is at infip.dnr.IN.gov.
Winter hike series in state park
Brown County State Park will continue the traditional Mysterious Hill winter hike series in 2022 with six upcoming hikes.
The series includes hikes to man-made lakes that were started but never finished, an old village and to a large boulder. Hikes include:
Boulder in the Tree on Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CCC Ruins and Deserter’s Cave on Feb. 19
Ten O-Clock Line Nature Preserve on March 5
Winter Dog Hike 2 on March 12
Normal park gate fees apply, but the hikes are free.
More information can be found at events.in.gov/brown_county_state_park_309.
Wilderness first aid, CPR class
A Wilderness first aid and CPR class, hosted by DNK Presents, will take place on Saturday, March 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, March 27 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This 16-hour, two day course will cover topics from preparation and prevention to assessment and treatment of injuries in the wilderness.
Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a two-year wilderness first aid certification through SOLO. The cost for the classes is $199. Classes will be taught at the Brown County History Center, 90 Gould St.
A SOLO CPR class will be offered on March 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. The cost is $50.
Those interested can sign up for the classes at https://dnkpresents.com/event/wilderness-first-aid-certification/.
Dances with Dirt Gnaw Bone
The Dances with Dirt Gnaw Bone Marathon is scheduled for May 21 from 6:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Races will include a 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, 50K and 50 mile. Registration fees start at $39 and range to $89.
All entries include a post-race barbecue bash, T-shirt and a finisher medal. Overall awards will be given to first male and female racers in all distances. Age group awards will be given in all five age groups for all events.
The marathon’s headquarters will be Mike’s Music and Dance Barn, 2277 State Road 46 West. The majority of the race course will go through the Brown County State Park and Yellowwood State Forest.
Register and get more information at www.dgnawbone.com.
Shelby Spring Fling coming to state park
Shelby and Mustang enthusiasts can enjoy an evening in Brown County State Park and dinner in Nashville on Thursday, May 19.
Pony Trails will occur on Friday morning, May 20, where dozens of Mustangs will drive to a planned destination in Southern Indiana.
On Friday evening, guests can attend the Welcome Bash at Abe Martin Lodge, where hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. On Saturday, May 22, cars will be judged in the pool area at the State Park, with awards presented at 3:30 p.m. Vendors and a picnic lunch will be available.
More information is available at www.jdsaleen.com/InsaacSpringFling.htm.
