2021JuneBirdsHike (41) Blog post Jan 2022 res
Birds and poetry at Oliver's Woods
A Year in Nature
Written By: Shawndra Miller
Date Published: January 20, 2022
Shawndra Miller
In 2021, we offered a variety of ways to get out in nature throughout the year. From guided hikes to volunteer days to special events, it was a great year to get outdoors.
We kicked off our outreach in early spring, when volunteers came out to pull garlic mustard and clean up the preserves. Both Meltzer Woods and Oliver’s Woods benefited from these work days. (A big thank-you to all who took part!)
Young nature-lover
By May, a “Wake up to Spring” nature walk showcased the acclaimed children’s book Wake Up, Woods. Michael Homoya, its coauthor, read from the book and led an exploration of the forest at Oliver’s Woods. Children and adults thrilled to discover spring’s wildflowers at this urban preserve. Illustrator Gillian Harris was on hand with her beautiful artwork.
Early June had us pairing poetry with birdsong at Oliver’s Woods. This outing featured the lyricism of Hoosier poet Lylanne Musselman and a nature walk led by executive director Cliff Chapman.
On a sweltering June night, we hosted a happy hour in celebration of the Brood X cicadas, featuring entomologist Dr. Elizabeth Barnes. As a bonus(?), the refreshments included a “cicada tasting” (a surprise to the CILTI staff).
A creek cleanup in August was very well-attended despite a major downpour—proving once again that our volunteers are the best.
In the fall, Oliver’s Woods was the setting for a Feathers and Fermentation event with Indiana Audubon and the Indy Brew Bus. Wes Homoya led participants in birding along the White River. Highlights of the day included sights of Nashville and Tennessee warblers foraging, a pair of pileated woodpeckers flying by, map turtles sunning themselves in the river, and a pewee sallying for insects.
Monarch mural
Our best-attended event may have been our Spirit and Place Festival collaboration with Indiana Wildlife Federation. About 50 participants painted a monarch butterfly mural that will be hung at Oliver’s Woods this spring. Under the guidance of muralist Megan Jefferson, the life stages of this iconic butterfly now adorn four large aluminum composite sheets. Attendees also learned about habitat conservation from our executive director, Cliff Chapman, and IWF’s executive director, Emily Wood, and took a nature walk with Grace van Kan, our White River Steward.
Finally, late in the year, many joined us for nature walks at Burnett Woods and Oliver’s Woods . The colors of autumn were still glowing on Thanksgiving weekend. But by early December, leafless tree identification was our theme.
Families enjoyed our preserves this year.
Of course, that’s not including all the folks who participated in our Trek our Trails Challenge, culminating in a drawing for one lucky winner. Over 50 people visited at least one preserve, and 30 completed the challenge by visiting all five featured properties.
We look forward to another great year of outdoor fun and learning! Keep an eye on our events page for upcoming outings.
Ben Valentine
Guest Blogger
Ben Valentine is a founding member of the Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve and is active in several other conservation organizations. He leads a series of NUVO interviews with Indiana's environmental leaders, and he cherishes showing his son all the wonders of nature he grew up loving.
DJ Connors
Guest Blogger
DJ Connors, a Central Indiana native and late-to-life hunter, combines a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and the outdoors with a deep passion for exploring the natural beauty of the area he has called home for most of his life. As a husband and father of three, he is committed to ensuring his children have the same opportunities to connect with nature and appreciate the outdoors in their community. DJ’s unique journey into hunting emphasizes sustainability, responsible stewardship, and the importance of preserving these experiences for future generations.
Bridget Walls
Guest Blogger
Bridget is our first ever Communications and Outreach Intern. She is a graduate of Marian University, where she combined English, studio art, and environmental sciences in her degree studies. As treasurer for Just Earth, the university's environmental club, she helped plan events encouraging a responsible relationship between people, nature, and animals.
Jordan England
Guest Blogger
Jordan England is a lifelong Shelby County resident who graduated from Waldron Jr. Sr. High School (just a few miles from Meltzer Woods!). After earning her B.S. degree in Retail Management from Purdue University, she returned to Waldron to start a family with her husband, Brian. Together they have 3 young children and enjoy sharing with them their love of the community. Jordan is the Grants and Nonprofit Relations Director at Blue River Community Foundation, managing BRCF’s grant program, providing support to local nonprofits, and promoting catalytic philanthropy in Shelby County.
Cliff Chapman
President and CEO
As CILTI’s President and CEO, Cliff keeps CILTI’s focus on good science and stewardship. He’s mindful that the natural places you love took thousands of years to evolve and could be destroyed in a single day, and that knowledge drives his dedication to their protection.
Stacy Cachules
Chief Operating Officer
Among her many key duties as Assistant Director, Stacy has the critical task of tracking our budget, making sure we channel donations for maximum efficiency. When her workday’s done, Stacy loves to spend time with her two young boys—and when not traveling, she’s likely planning the next travel adventure.
Ryan Fuhrmann
Vice Chair
Ryan C. Fuhrmann, CFA, is President and founder of Fuhrmann Capital LLC, an Indiana-based investment management firm focused on portfolio management. Ryan’s interest in land conservation centers around a desire to help preserve natural habitats for wildlife and the subsequent benefits it brings to people and the environment.
Joanna Nixon
Board Member
Joanna Nixon is the owner of Nixon Consulting, an Indianapolis-based strategy and project management firm focused on the nonprofit sector. She currently serves as the Philanthropic Advisor for the Efroymson Family Fund. Prior to opening her consulting practice in 2000, Joanna was vice-president for grantmaking at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). Joanna has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and arts and culture sector. She is passionate about the environment and loves bringing big ideas to life and creating high-quality arts and culture programs and experiences. Joanna enjoys outdoor adventures, including competing in fitness obstacle course races and hiking with her high energy Australian Cattle Dog, Jackson.
Karen Wade
Board Member
Before retiring, CILTI board member Karen Wade worked for Eli Lilly & Co. In retirement she volunteers for a number of organizations, including the Indiana Master Naturalist program, Johnson County Native Plant Partnership CISMA, Meadowstone Therapeutic Riding Center, and Leadership Johnson County.
David Barickman
Development Systems Manager
Born and raised in Central Illinois, David spent many days as a child wandering around the river, forest and lakes there. He works behind the scenes as a key member of our fundraising team. When not working, David loves to be outdoors hiking, fly fishing, kayaking or woodworking.
Jamison Hutchins
Stewardship Director
Jamison leads our stewardship team in caring for the land that is so important to you. He comes to our team after eight years as Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the city of Indianapolis, where his work had a positive impact from both health and environmental perspectives.
Jen Schmits Thomas
Media Relations
An award-winning communicator and recognized leader in Central Indiana’s public relations community, Jen helps us tell our story in the media. She is the founder of JTPR, which she and her husband John Thomas own together. She is accredited in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America, and loves to camp and hike in perfect weather conditions.
Shawndra Miller
Communications Director
Shawndra’s earliest writing projects centered around the natural world, starting when a bird inspired her to write her first “book” in elementary school. Now she is in charge of sharing our story and connecting you to our work. Through our print and online materials, she hopes to inspire your participation in protecting special places for future generations.
Phillip Weldy
Stewardship Specialist
Phillip enjoys nature’s wonders from an up-close-and-personal perspective as he works to restore the natural places you love. As an AmeriCorps member in Asheville, NC, he had his first full immersion in relatively undisturbed land while reconstructing wilderness trails in National Parks and National Forests.
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