And that's a wrap! Our final Golden Hour event took place last night at Oliver's Woods. Dr. Tim Carter of Ball State University shared "Secrets of Bats." Chocolate and Petunia, rehabilitated hard-luck bats who can't fly, were a definite hit! So was the bat detection equipment. We could hear the high-frequency sounds of bats flying over the river. A great way to close out a wonderful season. Thanks to everyone who came out to Oliver's Woods for these programs. Stay tuned for next year's lineup! @indiana_wildlife_fed @ourwaterways #goldenhour #bats #batnight #bigbrownbat #batconservation #learnaboutbats #protectbats #celebratebats #batlove #bigbrownbats #ambassadorbats #batsofinstagram #batsofindiana #protectedland #habitatprotection #wildlifeconservation #oliverswoods #oliverswoodsnaturepreserve #whiteriverIN #ourwaterways #mywhiteriver #naturepreserve #nature #nighthike #nighttimenature #natureatnight #getoutthere #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 22, 2023 Please join us tonight from 4-7 at the Cottage at the Artcraft in Franklin. This is an open house for conservation-minded folks. Come and chat with board and staff while enjoying some tasty food. Check out the film at the Artcraft too: Singin' in the Rain. #repost We are honored to welcome centralindianalandtrust to town this afternoon! If you care about conservation in Johnson County, stop by to say hello and meet some folks that are doing amazing work. All are welcome! 🌳 🦅 🌱 💧 🦎 ( #📷 @franklincollegebiology ) September 22, 2023 Here's a throwback shot for World Gratitude Day. This crew joined Cliff (center) (then our conservation director, now our president) at Meltzer Woods in 2009. All that pretty red color is invasive burning bush. How grateful we are for all the volunteers who lent a hand over the years. AND we are so grateful that Meltzer Woods is relatively free of this invasive shrub now! #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #throwbackThurs #throwbackshot #worldgratitudeday #worldgratitudeday2023 #gratitudeday #gratitudeday2023 #gratitude #grateful #volunteers #volunteer #volunteeroutdoors #fieldwork #notesfromthefield #fieldnotes #invasivecontrol #invasivespecies #invasive #invasives #invasiveshrub #meltzerwoods #oldgrowthforest #meltzerwoodsnaturepreserve #nnl #nationalnaturallandmark #protectedwood #protectedforest #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 21, 2023 We never get tired of turtles! Today's Wildlife Wednesday is a common box turtle (uncommonly beautiful, we think!). It was seen at Fred and Dorothy Meyer Nature Preserve. Want to know how to help our native turtle populations? The @IndianaDNR offers these tips: --Leave leaf litter and fallen woody debris on the forest floor. --Protect and/or promote the protection of turtle habitat. --Obey speed limits to allow appropriate stopping time if a turtle is on the road. --If you see a box turtle trying to cross a busy road, you can pick it up and move it to the other side of the road in the direction it was facing. The turtle cannot be kept or moved to any other location. --Do not burn large areas during peak activity times for turtles. --Check yards before mowing or burning brush piles. --Report any collection or sale of box turtles to the Division of Fish & Wildlife at (317) 232-4080 or to the Division of Law Enforcement at (812) 837-9536. This can be done anonymously. @indiana_wildlife_fed #wildlifewednesday #wildlifewed #wildlife #turtle #turtlesofinstagram #turtlesofindiana #boxturtle #commonboxturtle #turtling #turtles #turtlelove #weloveturtles #sitingturtles #protectingturtles #helpingturtles #FredandDorothyMeyerNaturePreserve #naturepreserve #MeyerNaturePreserve #Land4All #natureforall #Nature4All #forest #woods #foresthabitat #protectingland #landprotection #centralindiana #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 20, 2023 Meet Meloe americanus, aka the American oil beetle! Shown here in Betley Woods, this beetle is named after its ability to release a yellow, oily substance called Cantharidin. When this beetle feels threatened or is squeezed, it emits Cantharidin, which can leave blisters on human skin. But don’t worry. If you leave it alone and admire its shiny blue-black coloring from afar, it won’t harm you. When the larvae hatch, they are called triungulins and will gather together and emit pheromones to attract male solitary bees. When the bees arrive, the triungulin will ride on the bee’s back to the female bee’s tunnel to eat the stored pollen and bee eggs. The beetles will make underground pupae and later emerge as their shiny blue selves. (All info from Jeff Tome’s Time Observer post about Oil Beetles.) #crittertuesday #crittertuesdays #crittertues #critter #americanoilbeetle #oilbeetle #beetles #cantharidin #larvae #triungulins #pheromones #underground #bees #beetlesofinstagram #foodchain #insectsofinstagram #insectworld #insectlovers #ecosystem #environment #naturephotography #naturalindiana #betleywoods #betleywoodsnaturepreserve #naturepreserve #natureimmersion #landprotection #centralindiana #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 19, 2023 Here's a soothing scene in honor of National Self-Care Awareness Month. The creek shown here runs through the Laura Hare Preserve at Blossom Hollow. Why not plan a visit soon? Time in nature is a wonderful way to recharge. Follow the link in our bio to learn about our nature preserves. Photo credit: Karl Werner #nationalselfcareawarenessmonth #nationalselfcareawarenessmonth2023 #selfcareawarenessmonth #selfcareawareness #selfcare #mothernature #mothernaturesbeauty #mentalhealthandnature #natureandmentalhealth #natureseekers #naturetherapy #forestbathing #foresttherapy #naturebathing #nature #naturelovers #natureconnection #getoutside #mindfulness #thehealingpowerofnature #naturemoment #naturemoments #BlossomHollow #lauraharepreserveatblossomhollow #naturepreserve #landprotection #optoutside #indiananature #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 18, 2023 Happy National Pawpaw Day! The pawpaw (aka "Indiana banana") is in the same family as the custard apple, cherimoya, and ylang-ylang--the only member of that family not confined to the tropics. This native North American fruit is an important food source for wildlife. It is also a host plant for the zebra swallowtail butterfly. Our longtime supporter/volunteer Dick Miller took this lovely shot at Burnett Woods. #nationalpawpawday #nationalpawpawday2023 #pawpawday #pawpawday2023 #pawpaw #pawpawtree #pawpawfruit #pawpaws #pawpawseason #pawpawconservation #pawpawlove #pawpawfacts #pawpawfunfacts #nativeplant #wildlife #conservation #habitatprotection #burnettwoods #burnettwoodsnaturepreserve #naturepreserve #protectedland #protectedforest #foodchain #indianabanana #pawpawsofindiana #landtrust #centralindiana #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 15, 2023 Wow! What a great volunteer day yesterday at Oliver's Woods. We appreciate everybody's help with pulling invasive wintercreeper. The preserve is grateful too. Stopping the spread of invasives makes it possible for the ecosystem to thrive. You are literally restoring the land with every invasive you pull. Check the link in our bio to find more opportunities to volunteer outdoors. On Oct. 18, you can help out at Burnett Woods in Avon. It's a great way to go "behind the scenes" with our stewardship crew. Special thanks to T-Mobile employees for joining us! #grateful #thankyou #invasivecontrol #tmobilegivesback #tmobileindy #tmobilevolunteers #volunteeroutside #oliverswoods #gratitude #oliverswoodsnaturepreserve #wintercreeper #volunteering #ourvolunteers #weloveourvolunteers #urbannature #urbanpreserve #volunteeringoutside #volunteeringoutdoors #naturepreserve #oliverswoodspreserve #fallinIndiana #land4all #nature4all #restoration #restoringtheland #invasivespecies #landforall #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 14, 2023 Adorable gray tree frog coming at you for Wildlife Wednesday. This cutie was photographed last fall at Burnett Woods. According to Indiana Herp Atlas, these can be found in hardwood forests, open shrubland, and fields and grasslands near forested areas. They require ephemeral wetlands for breeding, but can also use flooded fields and low swales. Common both in rural and suburban areas, they occasionally breed in pools and flooded flower pots. However, they mostly stay concealed high in trees and can be hard to find outside of the breeding season. You might hear them calling sporadically from trees during rainy weather. @Indiana_wildlife_fed #wildlifewednesday #wildlifewed #wildlifeweds #graytreefrog #graytreefrogs #frogsofindiana #frogsofinstagram #froggy #froggie #woodfrogcall #frogcall #burnettwoods #burnettwoodsnaturepreserve #treefrog #treefrogs #habitat #habitatprotection #landprotection #protectedland #protectedwoods #woods #forest #protectedforest #speciesprotection #protectedhabitat #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 13, 2023 Without seeing this picture from Oliver’s Woods or one like it, you might ask the question: do "conehead grasshoppers" really have cone heads? Yes, their heads end in a cone shape! The conehead can occur in both brown and green, perfect for blending into their surroundings of grasslands. Listeningtoinsects. com states that they sing at dusk for many hours, until temperatures drop to be too cold for them. Their song, according to songsofisects. com, is a dry, raspy buzz, like an electronic short. #crittertuesday #crittertuesdays #crittertues #critter #critters #coneheadgrasshopper #coneheadgrasshoppers #roundtippedconehead #camouflage #grasslands #singsong #temperature #grasshopper #grasshoppers #grasshoppersofinstagram #insectsofinstagram #insectworld #insectlovers #ecosystem #environment #naturephotography #naturalindiana #oliverswoods #oliverswoodsnaturepreserve #naturepreserve #marioncounty #natureimmersion #landprotection #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 12, 2023 Postcard from Portland! Last week Stacy and Traci went to Land Trust Alliance's annual conference, known as Rally. They enjoyed learning from experts and talking with colleagues from all over the country. They also got a chance to join Indiana Land Protection Alliance to visit Portland-based Jolby, a design group doing amazing work for our statewide conservation community. @ltalliance @protectindianaland @jolbyandfriends @omgitsabutterfly_ @stacyca #rally4land #climatechange #communityconservation #learn #professionaldevelopment #growingthenetwork #oregon #portlandOR #portland #network #networking #landtrust #landforall #natureforall #nature4all #land4all #nature #conservation #landtrustlearning #landtrustwork #landtrustalliance #landtrusts #postcard #postcardfromportland #indianalandprotectionalliance #ilpa #landprotection #conservationwork #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 11, 2023 Here's a beautiful dryad's saddle for your fungi Friday. It smells like watermelon rind! According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, dryad's saddles (and many other fungi species) live on decaying wood. Called saprobic fungi, they help in the cycling of nutrients: breaking down the wood and returning the nutrients to the soil. This shot was from Hajji Hollow. #fungifriday #lookdown #fungusamongus #natureisbeautiful #naturepreserve #protectedland #parkecounty #HajjiHollownaturepreserve #HajjiHollow #mushroom #fungi #fungus #natureindiana #landprotection #indiananature #mushroomsofinstagram #fungiofindiana #mushroomsofindiana #fungiofinstagram #naturalindiana #midwestnature #naturephotography #mushroommonth2023 #mushroommonth #centralindiana #landtrust #nationalmushroommonth #nationalmushroommonth2023 #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 8, 2023 Here's a look back and progress report: Our 2020 tree planting Betley Woods at Glacier's End is doing great. In May of the first year of the pandemic, our stew crew worked to close the "keyhole" and expand forest habitat. Swipe through to see: --Stewardship crew planting saplings --The view from behind as young trees go in --Stephanie with the tree planter loaded with saplings --The "keyhole" that was planted (drone shot from spring 2021) --White oak photo from this summer --Jamison with black cherry, this summer This post is in honor of International Day of Clean Air. Forests do so much to support human life, including cleaning air. #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #ThrowbackThurs #InternationalDayofCleanAir #InternationalDayofCleanAir2023 #treeplanting #amilliontrees #treesforthewin #plantamilliontrees #blackcherry #themightyoak #oaktree #oak #naturepreserve #forest #protectedforest #forests #woods #foresthabitat #trees #protectedwoods #betleywoodsatglaciersend #betleywoods #landprotection #protectedhabitat #conservation #centralindiana #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 7, 2023 This Wildlife Wednesday, we're sharing two images of a broad-headed skink from the Indiana DNR. These have been found in at least one of our preserves (Mossy Point in Parke County). Enjoy! #Repost #wildlifewednesday #wildlifewed The broad-headed skink is the largest and most physically impressive of Indiana’s three skink species. It closely resembles the common five-lined skink, but can be distinguished by counting the number of scales located along its mouth. However, broad-headed skinks are also larger, reaching close to foot in total body length. The “broad-headed” name comes from the male’s large, reddish-colored head physically swells during the mating season. This is the most tree-dwelling (“arboreal”) lizard species in Indiana, climbing to heights of 20 feet or more. Though shy and solitary, broad-headed skinks are carnivorous and have no trouble taking down spiders and insects for food, even consuming other lizards, small snakes, and baby mice. Broad-Headed Skinks photos by Zack Truelock. . . . #IndianaDNR #Indiana #IndianaNature #NaturalIndiana #ExploreIndiana #ThisIsIndiana #indianaphotography #outdoorindiana #hoosiergrammers #igersindiana #indiana_explored #indianaoutdoors #discoverindiana #only_in_indiana #midwestexplored #myindiana #visitindiana #wildlifephotography #indianawildlife #lizards #reptile #lizardphotography #broadheadedskink ( #📷 @indianadnr ) September 6, 2023 Believe it or not, there is an international day devoted to raising awareness of vultures, and it was Saturday. Why celebrate the humble vulture? They are vital to ecosystems and face a range of threats around the globe. By cleaning up carcasses and other waste, they reduce disease risk in wild and domestic animals (as well as humans). If that isn't a key ecosystem service, we don't know what is. Not to mention, they are just really amazing birds in their own right. Our stewardship specialist, Phillip, took a picture of this black vulture at Whitewater State Park. But the species has also been found at our preserves, including Browning Marsh. #internationalvultureawarenessday #IVAD #IVAD2023 #internationalvultureawarenessday2023 #vultureawarenessday #vultureawarenessday2023 #vultureawareness #blackvulture #blackvultures #vulture #vultures #vulturesofinstagram #vulturesofindiana #nationalwildlifeday #vulturesaregood #birdwatching #birding #birdsofinstagram #birdsofindiana #ecoysystemservice #ecosystemservices #biodiversity #ecology #ecologicalimportance #wildlife #nationalwildlifeday2023 #wildlifeday #wildlifeday2023 #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 4, 2023 It's another Fern Station mushroom for your Fungi Friday! This fungus is in the genus Sebacina. The genus was first published by Louis and Charles Tulasne in 1871. Its fruiting bodies range from cartilaginous to rubbery-gelatinous and effused (meaning spread out or flat) to coral-shaped--like this one. Typically spores are white when viewed together. Sebacina has a cosmopolitan distribution, meaning its range extends across all or most of the world. (All info from iNaturalist.) #fungifriday #nationalmushroommonth #sebacina #nationalmushroommonth2023 #mushroommonth #charlestulasne #mushroommonth2023 #spores #indiananature #FernStationNaturePreserve #FernStation #naturepreserve #protectedforever #forestfloor #protectedland #fungi #fungus #mycology #fungiofinstagram #mushroomsofindiana #fungiofindiana #fantasticfungi #fungusamongus #naturesbeauty #myindiana #centralindiana #conservation #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti September 1, 2023 We couldn't resist sharing this hummingbird as it sips nectar from a cardinal flower. A testament to how crucial our native plants are for wildlife. And did you know that hummingbirds have a secret warrior side? These tiny birds engage in epic battles for territory. Looking ahead to National Hummingbird Day, let's take a moment to appreciate these pint-sized powerhouses. #NationalHummingbirdDay #NationalHummingbirdDay2023 #HummingbirdDay #HummingbirdDay2023 #hummer #hummers #hummersofinstagram #hummingbirdsofinstagram #hummingbirdsofindiana #landprotection #cardinalflower #cardinalflowers #nativeflower #nativeflowers #nativeplant #nativeplants #plantnatives #pintsized #pintisizedpowerhouse #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdsofinstagram #birdsofindiana #gobirding #hummingbirdlove #hummersofindiana #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 31, 2023 A repost from @pricelsewell, wildlife biologist, in honor of this past weekend's International Bat Night. We protect habitat for federally endangered Indiana bats, like the one shown here. #WildlifeWednesday #WildlifeWed #internationalbatnight #Repost Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) captured during a fall cave swarming survey in southeastern KY. Indiana bats (along with all cave hibernating bats in the area) swarm at cave entrances in the fall to evaluate caves for hibernation, socialize with other bats, and mate. Increased fall activity at caves provides a good opportunity to monitor bats and assess their readiness for hibernation (body weight gives a clue as to whether they’ve put on enough mass to make it through the winter). It is also a good time to look for rare species like the Indiana bat ( #📷 @pricelsewell ) August 30, 2023 Tis the season for sighting monarch butterflies. However, did you know there's a lookalike called the viceroy? Need an easy way to spot the difference? Here's a handy graphic made by our intern, Bridget, using photos from our preserves. #crittertuesday #crittertues #crittertuesdays #seemonarchs #monarchbutterfly #monarchbutterflies #butterflies #viceroybutterfly #butterfly #butterflyID #viceroybutterflies #monarchvsviceroy #knowthedifference #whenyouknowyouknow #viceroyvsmonarch #IDyourbutterfly #whatsthatbutterfly #butterflyidentification #lepidoptera #lepidopterans #butterfliesofinstagram #monarchsofinstagram #butterfliesofindiana #indianabutterflies #insect #insects #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 29, 2023 Did you celebrate International Bat Night this past Saturday? Started by Eurobats in 1997, the night is celebrated by more than 30 countries on the last full weekend of August. The holiday aims to inform the public about bats’ needs and how they live. The tree pictured here is a shagbark hickory found at Fern Station! They are easy to spot because of their long, shaggy strips of bark. But what does the shagbark tree have to do with International Bat Night? Bats love this tree! The National Wildlife Federation states the Indiana bat loves the snug crevices the tree offers behind its loose bark. According to the Bat Conservation Trust, this is because bats don’t make nests, so cavities and crevices in this tree offer great spaces for a bat to rest and sleep (also called roosting). #internationalbatnight #batnight #eurobats #indianabat #shagbarktree #shagbark #battrees #batconservationtrust #roosting #batroost #roost #fernstationnature #learnaboutbats #protectbats #celebratebats #augustisforthebats #batconservation #batlove #batsofinstagram #batsofindiana #savethebats #fernstation #fernstationnaturepreserve #naturepreserve #protectedforever #protectedland #habitatprotection #wildlifeconservation #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 28, 2023 Check out these common puffballs found at Fern Station! The scientific name is Lycoperdon perlatum. This fungus has a cosmopolitan distribution, meaning it has a range that extends across all or most of the world. Its habitat includes woods, grassy areas, and roadsides. The puffball has dimensions of 1.5 to 6 cm wide and 3 to 10 cm tall. The outer surface of the body is covered in short, white, gray, or brown spines and warts. When maturing, the outside of the body changes from white to brown, and a hole in the top opens up to release spores when compressed. This compression could be from touch or raindrops. (All info from iNaturalist.) #fungifriday #commonpuffball #puffball #cosmopolitandistribution #spores #indiananature #FernStationNaturePreserve #FernStation #naturepreserve #protectedforever #forestfloor #protectedland #fungi #fungus #mycology #fungiofinstagram #mushroomsofindiana #fungiofindiana #fantasticfungi #fungusamongus #findingfungi #naturesbeauty #fungiphotography #mushroomphotography #myindiana #centralindiana #conservation #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 25, 2023 In honor of Women's Equality Day, here are just a few of the powerhouse women who have volunteered over the decades! These photos were taken in spring of 2012 at Oliver's Woods, when Charles Schwab employees came to help with garlic mustard. #tbt #throwbackthursday #throwback #throwbackthurs #womensequalityday #womensequalityday2023 #equalityday #womensequality #equalityday2023 #volunteeroutside #oliverswoods #gratitude #oliverswoodsnaturepreserve #garlicmustard #volunteering #ourvolunteers #weloveourvolunteers #womenvolunteering #womenvolunteers #women #urbannature #urbanpreserve #volunteeringoutside #volunteeringoutdoors #naturepreserve #oliverswoodspreserve #springthrowback #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 24, 2023 Here are three quick snaps of a fawn at Fern Station. Many thanks to our volunteer photographer, Dana Maddox, for contributing her photos! @indiana_wildlife_fed #wildlifewednesday #wildlifewednesdays #wildlifewed #indiananature #FernStationNaturePreserve #FernStation #naturepreserve #protectedforever #fawn #protectedland #fawns #deer #whitedeer #deerofinstagram #fawnsofinstagram #deerofindiana #fawnsofindiana #babydeer #sighting #wildlife #naturesbeauty #naturephotography #indianawildlifefederation #wildlifephotography #myindiana #centralindiana #conservation #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 23, 2023 Here's another halictid bee (sweat bee) pollinating a flower at Burnett Woods recently. Note the weevil cameo on the left and other unidentified insect on the right. #crittertuesday #crittertuesdays #crittertues #critter #nationalhoneybeeday #honeybeeday #nationalhoneybeeday2023 #honeybeeday2023 #notahoneybee #nativebee #sweatbee #insect #sweatbees #critters #insects #insectsofinstagram #halictidbee #cycleoflife #bee #bees #beesofinstagram #nativebees #pollinator #pollinators #burnettwoods #burnettwoodsnaturepreserve #habitatprotection #protectedwoods #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 22, 2023 This month's Golden Hour was led by Jeanette Jaskula, the President of Friends of the Sands and a moth enthusiast! What's so special about Jeanette's passion for moths is that it goes against the grain of common wisdom. People sometimes think of moths as lesser, believing moths are dull in color, gross, and (creepily) only out at night. You'll also always hear the butterfly glorified over the moth. But Jeanette introduced the joy of moths, reminding attendees of moths' stunning colors, patterns, and important roles in our ecosystem. Thanks to everyone who came out to Oliver's Woods for this special program! #goldenhour #mothing #moth #mothhour #moths #beautifulmoths #gomothing #mothlover #mothlovers #welovemoths #lepidoptera #lepidopterans #mothsofinstagram #mothsofindiana #mothlove #lookingformoths #oliverswoods #oliverswoodsnaturepreserve #urbannature #urbanpreserve #urbannaturepreserve #naturepreserve #nature #nighthike #nighttimenature #natureatnight #getoutthere #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 21, 2023 This fungus was found in Fern Station! Because of its depressed cap and white to yellow spore print, we think it is the Golden Milkcap, scientifically known as the Lactarius alnicola. The cap is convex until it depresses to a funnel shape when maturing. The cap can range from 6-20 cm and its surface can be sticky and slimy. The stem can range from 3-6 cm long and 2-3 cm thick. Initially, its stem is solid, but it becomes hollow with age. If cut or injured, the Golden Milkcap will ooze a white latex that turns yellow with air exposure; this can dye the Golden Milkcap body yellow. (All information is from iNaturalist.) #fungifriday #milkcap #goldenmilkcap #indiananature #FernStationNaturePreserve #FernStation #naturepreserve #protectedforever #forestfloor #protectedland #fungi #fungus #mycology #mushroomsofinstagram #fungiofinstagram #mushroomsofindiana #fungiofindiana #fantasticfungi #fungusamongus #findingfungi #naturesbeauty #naturephotography #fungiphotography #mushroomphotography #myindiana #centralindiana #conservation #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 18, 2023 What looks like a robber but squawks like a chicken? This little masked frog is known as a wood frog. Its call can sound like a quacking duck or a squawking chicken. This particular one was found in Betley Woods at Glacier's End, one of the most biodiverse forests in our region. #woodfrog #woodfrogs #frogsofindiana #frogsofinstagram #froggy #froggie #woodfrogcall #frogcall #betleywoods #glaciersend #betleywoodsatglaciersend #betleywoodsbiodiversity #biodiversity #biodiverse #ecosystem #habitat #habitatprotection #landprotection #protectedland #protectedwoods #woods #forest #protectedforest #speciesprotection #protectedhabitat #landtrust #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 17, 2023 Eastern cottontail rabbit having a little bath at Oliver's Woods! #WildlifeWednesday #WildlifeWed #WildlifeWednesdays #oliverswoods #oliverswoodsnaturepreserve #naturepreserve #rabbit #bunny #bunnyrabbit #rabbitsofinstagram #cottontail #cottontailrabbit #easterncottontail #rabbitsofindiana #urbannature #urbanpreserve #naturepreserves #bathtime #bathingbeauty #bunniesofinstagram #bunnyrabbits #landtrust #centralindiana #indiananature #nature #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 16, 2023 With National Honeybee Day coming up this weekend, we'll take a contrarian approach and highlight a beautiful native bee. This one, found at White River Bluffs, is a halictid bee (sweat bee), one of many species of its kind that visit native wildflowers. We think it is a pure gold-green sweat bee, Augochlora pura. Its metallic tones are typically bright green, but can be coppery or golden. According to the US Forest Service, this bee nests under the loose bark of old trees, building cells of mud and debris found under the bark. She mixes pollen with some nectar and her own saliva in the nest. Once she has gathered enough food for one larva she lays an egg inside the cell and seals it. Rinse. Repeat. The larvae grow in this protected place, eating the food. They reach full size during the summer, then go into pupation, emerging later in the summer or fall. The cycle continues, with fall being mating season. Upon mating, "the males die and the females remain lazily visiting flowers as late as November." Females bulk up for the winter, hibernating until the frost melts in spring and the first flowers appear. #funfact #crittertuesday #funfacts #crittertuesdays #crittertues #critter #nationalhoneybeeday #honeybeeday #nationalhoneybeeday2023 #honeybeeday2023 #notahoneybee #nativebee #sweatbee #insect #sweatbees #critters #insects #insectsofinstagram #halictidbee #cycleoflife #bee #bees #beesofinstagram #nativebees #pollinator #pollinators #whiteriverbluffs #whiteriverbluffsnaturepreserve #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 15, 2023 A National Wellness Month PSA courtesy of one of our volunteer photographers. Greg Hess got this gorgeous shot at Meltzer Woods. If you need a nature moment, we've got you covered! This old growth forest near Shelbyville is a stunning place to explore, with easy access and level trails. And as a National Natural Landmark, it's hitting a big milestone this year (50 years since it was designated). @_greghess @greghessphoto #NationalWellnessMonth #NationalRelaxationDay #NationalWellnessMonth2023 #NationalRelaxationDay2023 #WellnessMonth #RelaxationDay #WellnessMonth2023 #RelaxationDay2023 #meltzerwoods #meltzerwoodsnaturepreserve #oldgrowthforest #NNL #nationalnaturallandmark #naturemoment #forest #protectedforest #beautifultree #trees #beautifultrees #tree #forestcanopy #talltrees #oldtrees #protectedland #protectedhabitat #landprotection #naturemoments #getoutthere #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 14, 2023 It was a great day to check on trail building progress out at Betley Woods at Glacier's End. We hosted the @indianadnr photographer, Brent, in this incredibly scenic nature preserve. Our land trust will be featured in the November/December Outdoor Indiana magazine with his amazing photos, so keep an eye out for that. And yes, the trails are really coming along! We hope to have a portion of the trail open by the end of the year. We are so grateful to Johnson County Community Foundation for supporting this effort. Our partners at @indiana_wildlife_fed received additional funding from the state's Next Level Trails program for this amazing trail system. So exciting! @jccfin #notesfromthefield #newsfromthefield #fieldnotes #dnr #naturephotography #nature #naturemoment #naturemoments #hikingindiana #hiking #indiananature #betleywoodsatglaciersend #betleywoods #glaciersend #johnsoncounty #hikingtrails #trailbuilding #trail #hikingtrail #johnsoncountycommunityfoundation #indianawildlifefederation #sustainabletrail #naturepreserve #nature4all #land4all #natureforall #landforall #happytrails #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 11, 2023 A fun throwback for National Lazy Day. Dogs know how to slow us down and enjoy the moment! Our outreach manager's pup Nessie took her person on a walk through nature in 2019. @omgitsabutterfly_ #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #throwbackthurs #nationaldogmonth #dogmonth #nationaldogmonth2023 #dogmonth2023 #nationallazyday #nationallazyday2023 #lazyday #lazyday2023 #lazydays #lazydayinnature #dogslovenature #dogsinnature #dogsandnature #oliverswoods #oliverswoodsnaturepreserve #naturepreserve #dogsoutside #dogs #dogsofinstagram #doggo #nodogleftinside #takeyourdogoutside #takeyourdogoutdoors #havedogwillhike #hikingwithdogs #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 10, 2023 This garter snake poked its head out along the trail at Mossy Point this past April. Our stew crew was there with the DNR state botanist for a floristic inventory, and this wildlife sighting was a bonus. Garter snakes are found throughout most of North America, adaptable to varied diets and habitats. Living in forests, fields, lawns, and grasslands, these snakes are typically found close to water. Amphibians make up a significant part of their diet. They communicate through pheromones--finding other snakes by following pheromone-scented trails. Fun fact: Males can sometimes produce both male and female pheromones, which can trick other males into attempting to mate with them. The advantage this confers is a transfer of heat (kleptothermy). In general, male snakes giving off both male and female pheromones are more successful at mating. @Indiana_wildlife_fed @ourwaterways #funfact #wildlifewednesday #wildlifewed #wildlifeweds #wildlife #wildlifewednesdays #worldsnakeday #worldsnakeday2023 #snakerday #snakeday2023 #wildlifesighting #mossypoint #mossypointnaturepreserve #IndianaWildlifeFederation #IndianaNature #IWF #nature #naturalindiana #indiananature #naturepreserve #gartersnake #gartersnakes #landprotection #snakesofinstagram #snakesofindiana #snake #snakes #CentralIndianaLandTrust #CILTI August 9, 2023 A peaceful Meltzer Woods view from our volunteer photographer, @kyledoles. Did you know that this year is Meltzer Woods' 50th anniversary of being designated a National Natural Landmark? Like you needed an excuse to visit! #Repost #oldgrowthforest There's just something special about being on the trail at sunrise. ( #📷 @kyledoles ) August 8, 2023 This summer, two interns are working alongside our stewardship crew. Shown here are McKatelyn and Maggie, measuring an old white ash at Meltzer Woods. That day they were helping inventory the ash trees. The old growth forest (a National Natural Landmark) is a great place to learn about conservation work in the field. Back story: In 2017, Meltzer's ash trees were treated with insecticide to prevent emerald ash borer damage. Ninety percent of them are doing great. We are gearing up for a second application to continue to protect them from this invasive insect. #notesfromthefield #newsfromthefield #fieldnotes #interns #internship #fieldwork #intern #stewcrew #stewardship #ashtrees #treesofinstagram #ashtree #whiteash #whiteashtree #emeraldashborer #ashborer #treesofindiana #landprotection #landconservation #conservationwork #womeninstem #conservation #habitatprotection #oldgrowthforest #meltzerwoods #meltzerwoodsnaturepreserve #nationalnaturallandmark #nationalnaturallandmarks #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 7, 2023 A repost from @fishersin featuring our own Jamison Hutchins, stewardship director. Thanks for coming out for the tour, Environmental Working Group folks! #Repost Members of the city’s Environmental Working Group took a tour of the Nonie Werbe Krauss Nature Preserve to learn about the conversation work that the @centralindianalandtrust is doing there. #naturepreserve #hamco #fishersin #indynature ( #📷 @fishersin ) August 4, 2023 This was the scene at Burnett Woods in fall of 2009, when we hosted a family fun day. Good times. (Did you know that August is National Family Fun Month? Hope folks can make some good memories outdoors!) #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #ThrowbackThurs #familyfunday #familyfunmonth #familyfunmonth2023 #nationalfamilyfunmonth #nationalfamilyfunmonth2023 #familyfun #smokey #smokeythebear #smokeybear #nochildleftinside #getthemoutside #kidslovenature #burnettwoods #makingmemories #memories #burnettwoodsnaturepreserve #protectedland #protectedforest #naturepreserve #protectedwoods #landprotection #land4all #nature4all #landforall #natureforall #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 3, 2023 In honor of International Owl Awareness Day coming up this weekend, here's a barred owl. Volunteer photographer Dana Maddox took this photo at Fern Station last month. According to @cornellbirds, the barred owl's call of “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” is often heard in old forests. Fun fact: Young barred owls are able to walk up the trunks of trees. They grasp the bark with their bill and talons and flap their wings climb! #funfact #wildlifewednesday #funfacts #wildlifewednesdays #wildlifewed #internationalowlawarenessday #internationalowlawarenessday2023 #owlawarenessday #owlawarenessday2023 #owl #owls #owlsofinstagram #barredowl #barredowls #owlsofindiana #beautifulnature #naturepreserve #naturalarea #birdsofindiana #NaturePreserve #conservation #FernStation #birding #birdwatching #birds #nature #FernStationNaturePreserve #PutnamCounty #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 2, 2023 This wild-looking creature is a tiger swallowtail caterpillar. Found on a tree in Betley Woods at Glacier's End, it's one of several butterfly species that mimic snake-like features. Their fake eyes help ward off predators. Also making for a startling encounter with human hikers! #crittertuesday #crittertues #crittertuesdays #funfact #scienceinnature #mimicry #caterpillar #caterpillars #caterpillarsofinstagram #tigerswallowtail #swallowtailcaterpillar #tigerswallowtails #swallowtailcaterpillars #whoknew #betleywoods #betleywoodsatglaciersend #glaciersend #naturepreserve #naturepreserves #nature #weirdcaterpillar #weirdcaterpillars #caterpillarswitheyes #snakelikecaterpillars #snakemimicry #naturaldefense #habitat #habitatprotection #centralindianalandtrust #cilti August 1, 2023 Moth Week is over but we have one last post, an orange wing moth. The moth takes its name from its bright orange hindwings (yellowish in females). Its larvae are green inchworms with a brownish-orange head, typically found feeding on honey locust leaves. This one was photographed at Hajji Hollow in Parke County. Source: Missouri Department of Conservation. #nationalmothweek #nationalmothweek2023 #mothweek2023 #mothweek #celebratingmoths #documentmoths #learnaboutmoths #protectmoths #orangewingmoth #orangewing #moths #moth #lepidoptera #mothsofinstagram #inchworm #inchworms #mothlife #nativeflower #conservation #preservation #hajjihollownaturepreserve #hajjihollow #naturepreserve #mothsofindiana #lepidopterans #mothlove #centralindianalandtrust #cilti July 31, 2023 "Want to help fireflies? Support your local land trust!" --Dr. Sergio Henriques, Global Center for Species Survival Another amazing Golden Hour at Oliver's Woods! Many thanks to Dr. Henriques of @indianapoliszoo for sharing his passion and knowledge with our participants. We saw at least four species and learned all about how they've evolved to survive. But as a group they are in steep decline due to light pollution, chemical pollution, and habitat loss. Land protection is one answer to address these problems, and that is what land trusts are good at! A timely message for World Nature Conservation Day. Also: Loved seeing all the kids. Their curiosity is inspiring! #worldnatureconservationday #worldnatureconservationday2023 #natureconservationday #natureconservationday2023 #conservation #fireflynight #fireflies #firefly #landprotection #habitatprotection #habitatloss #fireflieslight #lightningbug #lightningbus #landtrust #goldenhour #goldenhours #oliverswoods #oliverswoodsnaturepreserve #kidsandnature #getthemoutside #kidsinnature #nochildleftinside #cultivatewonder #wonder #firefliesarebeautiful #nature #naturemoments #centralindianalandtrust #cilti July 28, 2023 We're continuing our Moth Week coverage with this Confused Eusarca Moth found at Hemlock Ridge. Though it might appear nondescript at first glance, this is actually quite a beautiful moth. According to iNaturalist, this species' wingspan is between 29 and 41 mm. "Confused" might refer to the fact that there are so many variations in their appearance. Confused Eusarca Moths' shade can range from dark to light, but all have a distinctive line across. Adults tend to be yellow to tan with gray smudging. Throughout their range (eastern North America), these moths fly between April and October. Larvae feed on asters, clover, dandelions, and goldenrod. #nationalmothweek #nationalmothweek2023 #mothweek2023 #mothweek #celebratingmoths #documentmoths #learnaboutmoths #protectmoths #confusedeusarcamoth #confusedeusarcamoths #eusarcamoth #moths #moth #lepidoptera #mothsofinstagram #nativeplants #nativeflowers #mothlife #nativeflower #wingspan #conservation #preservation #hemlockridgenaturepreserve #hemlockridge #naturepreserve #mothsofindiana #lepidopterans #mothlove #centralindianalandtrust #cilti July 27, 2023 Happy Moth Week! This dark spotted palthis moth (aka the Palthis angulalis) was found in Meltzer Woods. iNaturalist states that it was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1796. According to minnesotaseasons. com, this moth is known for its triangular shape, tan color, dark lines, bands, and spots. It measures roughly 18 mm with a wingspan of 20-26 mm. The larvae feed on leaves of deciduous and coniferous trees like alder, ash, basswood, birch, pine, spruce, and willow. The dark spotted palthis is present in southern Canada, the United States, and Mexico. #nationalmothweek #nationalmothweek2023 #mothweek2023 #mothweek #celebratingmoths #documentmoths #learnaboutmoths #protectmoths #darkspottedpalthismoth #darkspottedpalthismoths #darkspottedpalthis #darkspottedmoth #palthismoth #palthis #palthisangulalis #mothsofinstagram #deciduoustrees #coniferoustrees #mothlife #jacobhubner #wingspan #conservation #preservation #meltzerwoodsnaturepreserve #meltzerwoods #naturepreserve #shelbycounty #oldgrowthforest #centralindianalandtrust #cilti July 26, 2023 A #Repost of a wild-looking plant found at Fern Station. Thanks to Adam and his @kibiorg urban naturalist team for helping our stewardship crew last week! Spotted quite a few ghost pipe (Monotropa uniflora) out with @centralindianalandtrust today. This plant completely lacks chlorophyll! ( #📷 @adamschmutte ) July 26, 2023 Did you know not all caterpillars turn into butterflies? This Haploa caterpillar was found in Betley Woods and will turn into a Haploa moth! There are six known Haploa moths: clymene, colona, confusa, contigua, LeConte's, and reversa. Based on LeConte caterpillar images from iNaturalist, the caterpillar pictured may be a LeConte. The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee says the LeConte's Haploa moth can hear bat sonar, and emit clicks to warn the bats they are unpalatable. You might assume this to be a defense mechanism, but these moths are telling the truth. As caterpillars, they ingest chemicals that make them toxic. Bright (aposematic) colors are a way for a species to broadcast their toxicity, so this auditory signaling is called acoustic aposematism. #nationalmothweek #nationalmothweek2023 #mothweek2023 #mothweek #celebratingmoths #funfacts #funfact #learnaboutmoths #protectmoths #haploacaterpillar #haploacaterpillars #haploamoth #haploamoths #leconteshaploa #leconte #haploa #caterpillarsofinstagram #lecontesofinstagram #mothsofinstagram #mothlife #batsonar #aposematiccoloring #aposematic #conservation #preservation #betleywoodsnaturepreserve #betleywoods #naturepreserve #centralindianalandtrust #cilti July 25, 2023
Filter CategoriesAllNewsroomSort By DateTitleDate September 14, 2023 National Self-Care Awareness Month: Find Your Zen in Nature September is National Self-Care Awareness Month, a time to focus on personal health. One of the best ways to... September 6, 2023 Growing our Library of Botanical Knowledge Clear scientific data is crucial in restoring and protecting land—especially data about a site’s plant life. Just as E....
