August Field Trip
- Pisgah Marsh and Durham Lake
- Saturday, August 21st, 9:00 am
- Pisgah Marsh has a nice elevated boardwalk with views of the marsh, a small lake and a mature hardwood forest. Many waterbirds, including nesting Sandhill Cranes, use the marsh as a migration stopover or breeding site. If time permits, we will visit Durham Lake and look for waterfowl on the lake and early migrants in the forest. From State Road 5, about 8 1/2 miles north of Larwill, turn west onto Whitley County Road 850N. Follow this road about 1/2 mile to the parking lot at the dead end. (Note: this site is not directly accessible from the west via State Road 13.) For photos and maps, see the DNR’s web page: http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3085.htm. For more information, contact Dave Hicks (260) 982-2471.
August Program
- Ecology and Conservation of Wetland Amphibians and Reptiles
- Tuesday, August 24th, 7:30 pm
- Manchester College Student Union, Hoff Room
- Dr. Bruce Kingsbury will speak on the importance of wetlands, especially shallow ones, to the ecology and conservation of many of Indiana's amphibians and reptiles. He will review some of his group's research findings, take a look at a variety of regional species using shallow wetlands, and include recommendations on how to properly manage this vital habitat. This presentation will be especially pertinent as TAS proceeds with the restoration of our Flory-Gemmer Marsh. Dr. Kingsbury is professor and chair of the Dept. of Biology at IPFW. He has dedicated much of his professional life to the conservation of endangered reptiles, especially snakes. His areas of expertise include habitat requirements, population viability, and habitat restoration and management. His areas of interest also include behavioral and physiological ecology of reptiles, thermoregulation, foraging behavior, and patterns of habitat use. Dr. Kingsbury is the director of the Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management, the "Herp Center."
September Field Trip
Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area
- Sunday July 11, 1:00 pm
- Saturday, Sept. 18th, (see below for times)
- Jasper-Pulaski is best known for its late-fall congregation of migrating Sandhill Cranes. Although we will be too early for the main crane migration, there is plenty of interest in the prairies, wetlands and forests of JP at all times of year. We will stop at the crane-viewing tower and wetland observation tower, which should be good sites for migrants. If hunting schedules permit, we will also visit the Tefft Savannah nature preserve for fall prairie flowers. There will be two starting points for the field trip: Meet at 8:30 am at the Manchester College Science Center parking lot to carpool. The Science Center is on the east side of Wayne St. in North Manchester, above 1/4 mile south of the intersection of Wayne St. and IN SR13. Or meet at the J-P headquarters at 10:30 am. This is northwest of Medaryville. From Medaryville, follow US 421 about 4 miles north. At IN SR143, turn west (left) and go about 1.3 miles to the headquarters area.
