Researcher looking to interview families who hike
Nashville resident Alexis Caudell is looking for families with children ages 17 and younger to help her with a research study.
Caudell, a former children’s librarian and library director, is working on a graduate degree at Indiana University’s School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering. Her project looks at family use — or not — of technology on trails.
“Our area offers so many opportunities for families with children to enjoy, and explore all kinds of trails. My goal is to document the diversity of these experiences at a time when digital technology is everywhere,” Caudell said.
She’s particularly focused on highlighting children’s voices, opinions and experiences. “Children’s voices and opinions are often overlooked in research,” she said. “I hope that my project will help fill that gap.”
Caudell will work with families to collect various types of information, including surveys, interviews, photographs, observation notes, and interactive activities such as drawing and sorting. She says her project has multiple safeguards in place to protect participants’ privacy.
To learn more, contact her at [email protected], on Facebook @technologyonthetrails, or text or call 812-296-1271.
Pond management clinic planned this week
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY — A free pond management clinic will be offered from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 17 at a Bartholomew County-area farm. The following topics will be covered:
- What’s wrong with my pond?
- Invasive species, plant and animal
- Aeration and other management steps
- Fish stocking and health
Presenters will include the Purdue Extension’s Dave Osborne, Shannon Winks with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Wes Goldsmith from Aquatic Control.
Dress for the weather and some walking.
Registration for the free event is required; that’s how participants will get the address for where it will happen. To register, visit eventbrite.com/e/pond-clinic-tickets-42327013236
For more information, call Kris Medic at 812-379-1665.
Nature Awareness Weekend at nature preserve
STONE HEAD — The Stone Head Conservancy will sponsor a two days of expert-led nature tours on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20.
The tours will take place at the Stone Head Nature Preserve at State Road 135 South and Bellsville Pike.
More details can be found at stoneheadconservancy.wordpress.com or by visiting the Stone Head Conservancy Facebook page.
Native Woodlands Project to offer class series
The Brown County Native Woodlands Project and Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District will offer a series of seven classes this summer focusing on the benefits of conserving native plants and controlling invasive species.
Classes will be taught from 5:30 to 7 p.m., some indoors at the SWCD office on Memorial Drive and some outside.
Tuesday, June 12: Why should I care about native plants?
Tuesday, June 26: Invasive plant species ID (indoor portion)
Tuesday, July 10: Invasive plant species ID (outdoor portion)
Tuesday, July 24: Invasive plant control methods (indoor portion)
Tuesday, Aug. 7: Invasive plant control methods (outdoor portion)
Tuesday, Aug. 21: Native plant alternatives
Saturday, Sept. 8: Graduation, at Nature Daze event
All who enroll and attend five out of six classes and pass a written, take-home test will be certified as Native Plant Stewards and can become a member of the Brown County Native Woodlands Project. To maintain certification, Native Plant Stewards will need to complete 10 hours of volunteer work annually relating to invasive species control or education.
The series costs $30 per person or $50 per household. To register, contact Allison Shoaf at 812-988-2211 or [email protected].
State parks offering fitness challenge, prizes
The Indiana State Parks Fitness Challenge encourages visitors to walk, run, bike, paddle or swim at least 25 miles in one or more state park property this year.
Horseback riders can participate by riding at least 100 miles on state park or reservoir horse trails.
Those who complete the challenge by Nov. 30 will be entered into a drawing for prizes, including a 2019 state park entrance pass, Outdoor Indiana magazine subscriptions, DNR camping gift cards and state park inn gift certificates.
Participants must download and keep a fitness challenge log that documents their visits to state parks and get a signature from park staff each time they visit. To print the free log/entry form or get more information, visit dnr.IN.gov/healthy.
Advance camping reservations available at state parks
Indiana state parks now offer advance campsite reservations for spring, winter and fall.
In the past, campers could not reserve a site in advance between November and April. Campers could only get sites by registering in person the day they were camping.
A few sites at every state park where camping is offered can now be reserved on Camp.IN.gov or by calling 1-866-622-6746. The maximum booking window is six months prior to arrival.
Disc golf league plays every Tuesday
The Brown County Disc Golf Alliance plays regularly in Brown County and new members are welcome.
The group plays Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. at Deer Run Park or at the Brown County Country Club, alternating months. In May, it’s the club.
Players of all skill levels are welcome, including those who have never played before. Loaner discs are available.
For more information, contact Stan Golis at [email protected].
Clean-up days slated in July and November
Keep Brown County Beautiful has tentatively scheduled community clean-up days for Saturdays, July 21 and Nov. 3. Meet-ups will begin at 9 a.m. at McDonald’s, where free coffee will be provided.
Plastic gloves, litter grabbers and safety vests will be available. McDonald’s will provide free trash bags and will allow participants to return the litter-filled bags free of charge for disposal.
For more information, call 812-988-0140 or 812-327-9617.
