17th annual Spring Wildflower Walk at Burnett Woods

Join our Stewardship team for a walk through the woods and an impressive wildflower display in the heart of Avon, Indiana.

Burnett Woods is one of the best nature preserves to enjoy spring wildflowers. Your guide will be stewardship specialist Phillip Weldy, whose keen eye for wildflowers has dressed up our social media feed for several years. We’ve recently added duckboard to the trails in hopes of enabling wet-weather nature walks.

All Ages

Free of Charge – RSVP Required

What to Expect and Bring:

  • Easy, 1.5-mile wildflower walk over a flat, loop trail.
  • Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective). Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
  • Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
  • Athletic shoes may be too slippery on the duckboards, if wet.
  • Public restrooms are not available.
  • In case of inclement weather, check email for updates.

Directions:

Address is 8264 E County Road 100 S Avon, IN 46123. Parking is available at Light and Life Methodist Church, 8264 E. County Road 100 South, which is next door to the preserve. Park behind the church in the back row and walk in a southeastern direction across the grass toward the road. The trailhead is near the road, behind the preserve sign.

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Garlic Mustard Erase-A-Thon at Betley Woods in Johnson County 4.23

Help us welcome back native plants and wildlife by removing invasive garlic mustard from Betley Woods at Glacier’s End.

Support the health and resilience of this beautiful preserve by helping with invasive plant removal. Betley Woods at Glacier’s End is located in one of the most biodiverse forested areas of the state.

All Ages

Please RSVP so we know to expect you.

What to Expect and Bring:

  • Volunteers will remove plants by hand.
  • The terrain at this preserve is considered moderate.
  • Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective). Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
  • Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
  • Bring gardening or work gloves. If you don’t have gloves, we will provide some.
  • Dress for the weather as we will work rain or shine.
  • Public restrooms not available.
  • In case of inclement weather, check email for updates.

Location: Betley Woods at Glacier’s End

Address: 2864 County Road 750 S Trafalger, Indiana

More Garlic Mustard Erase-A-Thon events at Betley Woods:

More on Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

It is an invasive plant species that spreads into high-quality woodlands, upland and floodplain forests, not just into disturbed areas. Garlic mustard alters habitat suitability for native plants, insects, and thereby birds and mammals.

What else can I do?

After visiting an area that has invasive weeds present, clean up before you leave the site. Make sure your clothes, boots, vehicles, and pets are seed free. Use plants native to Central Indiana in your yard and garden.

HI1568313142

Garlic Mustard Erase-A-Thon at Betley Woods in Johnson County 4.16

Help us welcome back native plants and wildlife by removing invasive garlic mustard from Betley Woods at Glacier’s End.

Support the health and resilience of this beautiful preserve by helping with invasive plant removal. Betley Woods at Glacier’s End is located in one of the most biodiverse forested areas of the state.

All Ages

Please RSVP so we know to expect you.

What to Expect and Bring:

  • Volunteers will remove plants by hand.
  • The terrain at this preserve is considered moderate.
  • Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective). Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
  • Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
  • Bring gardening or work gloves. If you don’t have gloves, we will provide some.
  • Dress for the weather as we will work rain or shine.
  • Public restrooms not available.
  • In case of inclement weather, check email for updates.

Location: Betley Woods at Glacier’s End

Address: 2864 County Road 750 S Trafalger, Indiana

More Garlic Mustard Erase-A-Thon events at Betley Woods:

More on Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

It is an invasive plant species that spreads into high-quality woodlands, upland and floodplain forests, not just into disturbed areas. Garlic mustard alters habitat suitability for native plants, insects, and thereby birds and mammals.

What else can I do?

After visiting an area that has invasive weeds present, clean up before you leave the site. Make sure your clothes, boots, vehicles, and pets are seed free. Use plants native to Central Indiana in your yard and garden.

HI1568313142

Garlic Mustard Erase-A-Thon at Meltzer Woods in Shelby County 4.22

Help us welcome back native plants and wildlife by removing invasive garlic mustard from Meltzer Woods.

Support the health and resilience of the old growth forest by helping with invasive plant removal. Meltzer Woods is a National Natural Landmark and one of our most beloved preserves.

All Ages

Please RSVP so we know to expect you.

What to Expect and Bring:

  • Volunteers will remove plants by hand.
  • The terrain at this preserve is considered moderate.
  • Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective). Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
  • Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
  • Bring gardening or work gloves. If you don’t have gloves, we will provide some.
  • Dress for the weather as we will work rain or shine.
  • Public restrooms are not available.
  • In case of inclement weather, check email for updates.

Directions:

Meltzer Woods is located near Shelbyville and is a short 35-minute drive from Indianapolis. From Indianapolis, take I74 E to IN 244 E, then turn left onto S 600 East. Staff will meet you in the parking lot. Map:@Meltzer Woods

Join us for other Garlic Mustard Erase-A-Thon Events at Meltzer:

More on Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

It is an invasive plant species that spreads into high-quality woodlands, upland and floodplain forests, not just into disturbed areas. Garlic mustard alters habitat suitability for native plants, insects, and thereby birds and mammals.

What else can I do?

After visiting an area that has invasive weeds present, clean up before you leave the site. Make sure your clothes, boots, vehicles, and pets are seed free. Use plants native to Central Indiana in your yard and garden.

HI1568313142

Garlic Mustard Erase-A-Thon at Meltzer Woods in Shelby County 4.15

Help us welcome back native plants and wildlife by removing invasive garlic mustard from Meltzer Woods.

Support the health and resilience of the old growth forest by helping with invasive plant removal. Meltzer Woods is a National Natural Landmark and one of our most beloved preserves.

All Ages

Please RSVP so we know to expect you.

What to Expect and Bring:

  • Volunteers will remove plants by hand.
  • The terrain at this preserve is considered moderate.
  • Dress in long pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective). Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
  • Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
  • Bring gardening or work gloves. If you don’t have gloves, we will provide some.
  • Dress for the weather as we will work rain or shine.
  • Public restrooms are not available.
  • In case of inclement weather, check email for updates.

Directions:

Meltzer Woods is located near Shelbyville and is a short 35-minute drive from Indianapolis. From Indianapolis, take I74 E to IN 244 E, then turn left onto S 600 East. Staff will meet you in the parking lot. Map:@Meltzer Woods

Join us for other Garlic Mustard Erase-A-Thon Events at Meltzer:

More on Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

It is an invasive plant species that spreads into high-quality woodlands, upland and floodplain forests, not just into disturbed areas. Garlic mustard alters habitat suitability for native plants, insects, and thereby birds and mammals.

What else can I do?

After visiting an area that has invasive weeds present, clean up before you leave the site. Make sure your clothes, boots, vehicles, and pets are seed free. Use plants native to Central Indiana in your yard and garden.

HI1568313142

The 2025 City Nature Challenge

The 2025 City Nature Challenge is a community science event happening in over 600 cities across the world. Indianapolis (and environs) will be among the cities competing in this international event. Indiana Sciences is coordinating the local effort.

The four-day event asks community scientists to find and document as much urban nature as possible in their area. Explore your backyard, or expand into local playgrounds, parks, and nature preserves to look for plants, insects, and animals. Document your findings with a photo, and report them via the iNaturalist website or app. The goal is to develop a new baseline of a city’s biodiversity.

Find out more here.

RSVP

To register for the event, you must have an iNaturalist account. After logging in, click Join from the City Nature Challenge 2025: Indianapolis page.

Participating Counties

The following counties are included in the Indianapolis City Nature Challenge:

  • Boone County
  • Brown County
  • Hamilton County
  • Hancock County
  • Hendricks County
  • Johnson County
  • Madison County
  • Marion County
  • Morgan County
  • Putnam County
  • Shelby County

CILTI’s Involvement

We encourage everyone to visit our open nature preserves during this global event (April 25 to 28) and share your observations on iNaturalist.

Public preserves that fall within the geographic parameters include: Meltzer Woods, Nonie Werbe Krauss Nature Preserve, Oliver’s Woods, Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve, the Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow, and more! Use our Preserves page to plan your visits.

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Winter Tree ID Hike at Oliver’s Woods

Trees that shed their leaves have a beauty all their own. Volunteer White River Docents, along with our White River Steward, Grace van Kan, will lead the walk through this riverine nature preserve to welcome the turning of the season. Situated along the White River, Oliver’s Woods Nature Preserve offers a nature immersion in the midst of a bustling commercial district.

All Ages

Free of Charge – RSVP Required

What to Expect and Bring

  • Easy, 0.6-mile hike over a flat, loop trail.
  • Feel free to bring your own binoculars or scope for potential bird viewing.
  • Dress for the weather, as we will be outside the entire event.
  • No restroom is available at this site.

Directions

Oliver’s Woods is located at 8825 River Road Indianapolis, Indiana. Please park in the parking lot adjacent to I-465 and meet staff on foot in front of the house. @Oliver’s Woods.

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Black Friday Hike at Betley Woods Nature Preserve in Trafalgar

CILTI President Cliff Chapman is back for our popular #optoutside Black Friday hike, this time at Betley Woods at Glacier’s End. Enjoy a chance to see a stunning property that is not yet open to the public.

All Ages

Please RSVP so we know to expect you.

What to Expect and Bring:

  • This hike is considered moderate with a few inclines. The main trail is about 2.5 miles.
  • Dress for the weather and be sure to wear pants thick enough to stand up to thorns, brush, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos (unfortunately leggings aren’t very protective).
  • Wear closed-toed shoes that can stand up to mud.
  • Bring a water bottle, preferably refillable.

Use this map to navigate to the location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GfvPRn9Yebp4en466

HI1568313142

Woodpeckers with Wes: Young Birders Walk

Wander with Wes Homoya and Indiana Audubon on a woodpecker walk! The Indiana Young Birders Network is an engaging and inclusive community fostering a love for nature and birding. Our goal is to provide a safe, fun, and welcoming environment for youth birders to learn and grow through hands-on experiences, educational demonstrations, and more.

Parents are more than welcome to come along for the birding adventure! This is a family-friendly guided bird walk for all ages and experience levels. Please bring binoculars if you have them. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable hiking boots.

RSVP

Reserve your spot by visiting Audubon’s event page.

Parking

Parking is available at Light and Life Methodist Church, 8264 E. County Road 100 South, next door to the preserve.

Registration

This event is free but registration is required.

Accessibility

This excursion includes a moderate walk within Burnett Woods Nature Preserve. We will stroll through the woods and make frequent stops to look at birds.

Questions

For any questions about this event or the Indiana Young Birders Network, contact info@indianaaudubon.org.

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