Tri-State Outdoor News

Remnants of beautiful and diverse habitats remain in southern Indiana as wetlands, woodlands and cave systems enrich the region.

The wetlands at Hovey Lake Fish and Wildlife Area, the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, combined with the woodlands found in the Hoosier National Forest and surrounding parks and wildlife areas along with important cave systems make this a unique place in our state and in our country. Each of these distinctive habitats contain plant and wildlife species that are needed for a healthy ecosystem to be able to meet our endless needs. These large tracts of land are CRUCIAL.

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The truth of the matter is that habitat loss is a direct result of our impact on the environment – so it only stands to reason it’s also our responsibility to restore it. Thanks to the habitat programs of the National Wildlife Federation and the Indiana Wildlife Federation we can all make a difference even if it’s just a few acres at a time.

The acreage of our certified backyard habitat allows us the space to provide natural habitat for wildlife in a variety of ways. Native trees, shrubs and flowering plants provide food, shelter and places to raise young. We use some of the fallen branches from the trees to make brush piles and some of the leaves in mulch. A seasonal pond supplies a natural water source and the rocky terrain of our woodland habitat offers shelter. The rocks are a special place to watch skinks as they stretch out to soak in the sun. After a rain the rocks offer a place for us to observe butterflies getting drinks of water from little recesses in the rocks. Rocks are plentiful here so we use them to border many of the garden areas. With slopes and hills, the rocks help to hold in the mulch and soil during heavy rains. We’ve found by using just rocks and mulch you can make great pathways. More »

Every season has beauty but none quite like the long-awaited beauty of spring that bursts with color and song. The silence of winter is replaced with a calming chorus of frogs. The active birds fill the yard with song and movement.

Our woodland habitat gives us many opportunities to see native plants in bloom during spring. The redbud trees splash bright color in the woods with tiny flowers of pink that cover the branches all around. The flowers on the sassafras trees have a wonderful buttery color that is enhanced by surrounding dogwoods. By looking up into the canopy from ground level you may not be able to fully appreciate the flowers of a yellow poplar or tulip tree. View the flowers from the side or get a glimpse down into the flower and you will see that the lime green tulip shaped flowers are filled with vivid orange and yellow. One tree not to miss in full bloom is the black locust. Locust trees bare prickly branches that you will painstakingly want to avoid but the trees are definitely worth seeking out. In spring the locust tree is draped with clusters of sweetly scented white flowers that hang throughout the branches. More »

I am grateful for living most of my life in a rural area with nature all around me – although a short time was spent living in the city. I immediately missed my connection with nature. I needed to walk on something other than concrete – to be in the woods and to see wildlife – I needed habitat.

Fortunately Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve was nearby with 200 acres of bottomland hardwood forest. There are majestic trees on the preserve that are over 400 years old, abundant wildlife and a part of the Wabash and Erie Canal all right in the middle of a city. Founded in 1973 Wesselman Nature Society has continued to preserve this important habitat that gives everyone an opportunity to develop an appreciation for nature. The preserve was a refuge for me while in the city and really is the heart of Evansville to me. More »

Our Backyard Habitat provides us with a variety of wildlife to enjoy all year. If we look or step outdoors during winter there are numerous wildlife observations to experience. Energetic squirrels rush around digging for all the stockpiles of acorns that seem to be hidden everywhere.

Since nightfall comes early in winter we have had the opportunity to see the opossums making their rounds. The nocturnal opossums rest during the day and stay out of sights but at night they emerge to look for food. Don’t let the opossum’s rat like tail keep you from appreciating the only marsupial that we have in North America. Their tails are merely an adaptation for grasping. Once you realize that the opossum’s diet consists mainly of insects and dead animals you may want them to roam your yard at night too. Opossums are known to play dead – a defense mechanism brought on by fear. More »

Winter is a beautiful time of the year in our Backyard Habitat. When the snow collects on the ground and drapes on the trees the beauty of nature shines. The evergreen trees stand out in the woods against the gray hues of winter. The leaves are gone from the crowns of the broad-leaved trees exposing an extensive network of branches.

The peeling tan and gray bark of the sycamore tree reveals a bright white trunk that can be seen from a good distance through the winter woods. Coming across even a small grove of sycamores is a powerful sight. Reaching heights up to 100 feet the trees are great sculptures towering in the woods.

The winter landscape gives us a chance to see woodland in a new way. A walk in the woods is a simple way to involve children in a nature experience that will keep them active and learning all year – nature activates all the senses and the imagination. More »

Habitat and wildlife management are essential to keep nature in balance and both are included topics in the Indiana Hunter Education Program. Conservation officers and volunteer hunters instruct the course. The volunteer instructors receive their training through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. South Region Hunter Education Coordinator Tim Beck explained that with only 200 conservation officers to instruct the classes needed for Indiana’s 92 counties the program couldn’t be done without the approximately 900 volunteer instructors from across the state. “The volunteer hunters are our main source. I mean they are the lifeblood of the program,” said Beck. “We are very grateful for these people.”

The program graduates about 18,000 hunters a year in Indiana. Hunter Education is offered in many schools including ones in Dubois, Gibson, Posey and Warrick Counties. According to Beck, all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and countries overseas recognize their program. More »