fri26apr(apr 26)9:00amsun28(apr 28)2:00pm2019 Wildflower Foray34th Annual

When

Friday, April 26, 9:00am - Sunday, April 28, 2:00pm

Details

Between 20 and 25 hikes and programs take place over a three-day period! Our primary focus is on the natural history and environmental concerns relating to Brown County, especially as they relate to wildflower and bird populations. Included are wildflower and bird walks, wetlands hikes, a boat trip on Lake Monroe, nature photography, and other programs related to the theme of the event.

Hikes and programs are held on T.C. Steele grounds on established trails, and on other nearby natural areas including area DNR properties, Hoosier National Forest, Indiana University, Sycamore Land Trust and Nature Conservancy lands.

Patricia Rhoden Bartels will offer a plein air painting demo at T.C. Steele from 2-4pm on Sunday, April 28th.

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Friday, April 26

1. 9:00 a.m. Wildflowers at Selma Steele Nature Preserve

Wildflower author Kay Yatskievych and DNR Nature Preserves Assistant Director and Ecologist Tom Swinford will lead wildflower walks in and around this lovely state nature preserve. Choose from 2 ½ to 3-hour MODERATE or RUGGED hikes. Meet at Location A.

2. 10:00 a.m. Journey to Kelp Village

Adventure with State Park Naturalist Patrick Haulter and plant guru David Mow to the site of an old village dating back to the late 1800s. Add new and amazing flowers to our list as we find old home sites using plants and flowers, planted by the early settlers, as our guide. Be prepared for a MODERATE 2-hour trek of about 4.5 miles round trip. Meet at Location D.

3. 1:00 p.m. Exploring Clay Lick

Join Dan Shaver, Brown County Hills Project Director, for a 1 mile EASY hike looking at historic aerial photos and exploring how past use of the land has impacted the forest and the wildflower populations. Meet at Location K.

4. 1:00 p.m. Butterflies at Allen’s Creek

Jeff Belth, author of Butterflies of Indiana, a Field Guide, and Monroe Co. Parks & Rec Naturalist Sandy Belth will lead a 1 ½-hour MODERATE walk to identify butterflies and larval host plants important to these “flying flowers.” Meet at Location F.

5. 3:30 p.m. Kent Farm Trek

Wildflowers and wildlife abound at the Kent Farm unit of the Indiana University Research & Teaching Preserve. Join IU biologist Mark Sheehan for a RUGGED 3-hour, 1.3-mile loop through rich Salt Creek bottomland, up a wooded ridge crowned with chestnut oak, and back. Mark will stress wildflower and tree identification and work in as much forest ecology as he can. Meet at Location C.

6. 3:30 p.m. Hot Hills, Cool Valleys

Search for wildflowers, ferns and fascinating fungi (edible and otherwise) as you explore ridge tops and valleys with Interpretive Naturalist David Mow. For this 1 ½-2 hour, MODERATE hike through the northernmost section of Brown County State Park, meet at Location H.

7. 6:00 p.m. Birding by Kayak

Join birding guide David Rupp of IndiGo Birding Nature Tours for a 2-hour, slow evening paddle. Participants will search for birds such as the great blue heron, wood duck, and the beautiful prothonotary warbler, with emphasis on identifying some birds by their songs. Beginning kayakers and birders welcome. Limited to 10 people; pre-registration required by calling 812.988.2785. Six kayaks will be available to rent for $20 each (first come first served when you sign up) or bring your own kayak or canoe. Meet at Location E.

Saturday, April 27

8. 7:30 a.m. Early Birds at Stone Head Nature Preserve

Join Mike Kelley and Jeff Riegel, president and vice president of the Stone Head Conservancy, for an EASY, 2 ½-hour stroll through part of the beautiful, 122-acre Stone Head Nature Preserve. High rubber boots are recommended for walking through the Zimmerman Wetland Bird Habitat in search of some of the 164 species of documented birds. Meet at Location G.

9. 9:00 a.m. Monroe Lake Backwaters

Take a boat trip with DNR Wildlife Specialist Rex Watters to enjoy wetlands wildflowers and wildlife, maybe even see a bald eagle. Bring a life jacket if you have one, plus water and a sack lunch—the trip will last into the afternoon. Boats will stop at several spots to explore, so wear boots and old clothes! Pre-registration required at 812-988-2785, limited to 20 people. You MUST be nimble enough to climb in and out of small watercraft. Meet at Location E.

10. 9:00 a.m. Explore Laura Hare Nature Preserve at Downy Hill

Nearly one square mile in size, this preserve helps form a huge block of contiguous forest, protected for wildflowers, songbirds, raptors and other wildlife. Jim Ferguson, Sycamore Land Trust Volunteer Steward for the preserve, will lead a RUGGED, 3-hour journey from ridgeline to valley and back. Meet at Location L, carpooling recommended.

11. 10:00 a.m. Creek Walk

Join “Moment of Science” radio personality Don Glass, naturalist and botanical illustrator Gillian Harris, and IU biologist Mark Sheehan for a 1 ½-hour EASY walk along a stream in the Schooner Valley. Participants will identify a variety of wildflowers that flourish in and around the park’s creeks and valleys. Meet at Location I.

12. 10:00 a.m. Focus on Wildflowers

Nature photographer and past T.C. Steele Artist in Residence Gary Morrison will lead an EASY 2-hour photography excursion. Bring your camera for tips on capturing the best images of spring’s beauties in flower or in flight. Pre-registration required at 812-988-2785, limited to 20 people. Meet at Location A.

13. 1:00 p.m. Ogle Hollow Hike

Ogle Hollow Nature Preserve is one of the richest coves in Brown County, with a profusion of wildflowers, ferns and the rare yellowwood tree. State Park Naturalist Patrick Haulter and Naturalist Interpreter David Mow will lead a 2-hour MODERATE hike into the hollow, identifying plants and migrating songbirds. Meet at Location P.

14. 1:00 p.m. The Art of Woodscrafting

Woodscrafting is “the act of collecting plants for edible and medicinal uses.” Join Master Naturalist Susan Douglas for a 1 ½-hour EASY woodscrafting walk, and learn about the uses of local wild plants and trees. Meet at Location D.

15. 3:00 p.m. Nature Connection Walk

Join Rachel Ellenson, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, for a restorative stroll through the spring forests of the T.C. Steele State Historic Site. Destress, reconnect with nature, and enjoy everything spring has to offer on this MODERATE 2 ½-hour walk. Pre-registration required at 812-988-2785, limited to 12 people (children welcome). Meet at Location A.

16. 3:30 p.m. Wild Hyacinth Hike

Botanist Cheryl Coon and retired forester Teena Ligman of Hoosier National Forest will lead a 2-hour RUGGED, off-trail hike along a unique limestone ridge in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area looking for wild hyacinths. Pre-registration is required, call HNF office at 812-275-5987, limited to 18 participants. Carpool from Location B.

17. 3:30 p.m. Invasive Plant Walk

Explore a variety of habitats from wetlands to forest, on this EASY, 2-hour walk with Monroe County Parks & Rec Naturalist Cathy Meyer. The area around beautiful Yellowwood Lake boasts many desirable native species along with, sadly, many invasive plants. Carpool from Location O.

18. 6:00 p.m. Flowers, Friends and Food

Join fellow Forayers for good food, good company, and a silent auction to support the Foray. Cost is $12 per person for your dinner, payable to Friends of T.C. Steele. Reservations required, registration form for mailing is attached or call 812-988-2785. Meet at Location P.

19. 7:30 p.m. Evening Program and More

Wildflower author Kay Yatskievych will summarize the 2019 wildflower count as dessert and beverages are enjoyed. Brown County State Park Naturalist Patrick Haulter will give an in-depth review of the history and management of Ogle Hollow State Nature Preserve, the recent scene of major invasive plant removal efforts. Meet at Location P.

Sunday, April 28

20. 7:30 a.m. Early Birds at Crooked Creek

Greet the morning with IU biologists Jim and Susan Hengeveld, who will lead a 2-hour MODERATE walk to view spring migrants, waterfowl, eagles and more. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them! Meet at Location E.

21. 10:00 a.m. Wander the Wilderness

Explore Hoosier National Forest’s Hayes Trail in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area with HNF botanist Cheryl Coon and botanical illustrator Gillian Harris. Bring lunch and water for this 4-hour MODERATE hike. Pre-registration is required, call HNF office at 812-275-5987. Meet at Location B.

22. 10:00 a.m. Friendship Cemetery Tour

Meet DNR Interpretive Naturalist Jill Vance for an EASY hike to tour the historic Friendship Cemetery. Learn about the people that shaped this area of the Salt Creek Valley and their connection with the old Friendship Separate Baptist Church on this 2 ½ -hour excursion (includes carpool time). Meet at Location N to carpool to a nearby site. If road is flooded additional travel time will be needed.

23. 1:00 p.m. Fire in the Valley

Meet wildflower author Kay Yatskievych for a MODERATE, 2-hour walk to explore a valley abundant with fire pinks, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the elusive green dragon. Meet at Location O and carpool to a nearby site.

24. 2:00 p.m. Hayes #1 Cemetery Hike

Visit one of the historic cemeteries that dot the forest within the Deam Wilderness Area, while keeping our eyes open for blooming spring wildflowers. On this 3 hour, 3-mile MODERATE hike led by DNR Interpretive Naturalist Jill Vance, we’ll discuss the people known to be buried in this tiny cemetery as we visit their gravesites. Limited to 10 people; registration REQUIRED by April 24 at http://bit.ly/hays1hike2019. Meet at Location B to carpool to the trailhead.

Location Map & Key

Location A: T.C. Steele SHS. From SR 46 at Belmont, drive 1.5 mi. south on TC Steele Road. Meet at upper parking lot near exit.

Location B: Paynetown State Recreation Area. Follow signs on SR 446 to 6.5 mi. south of SR 46/446 junction. Meet in parking lot behind office. (39.092449 N, -86.42442 W)

Location C: Kent Farm. From SR 46 at Belmont, drive 0.4 mi. south on TC Steele Road. Turn right on Kent Road and drive 2.9 mi., turn left at the red IU Preserve sign and drive on Kent Farm driveway to the grass beside the largest outbuilding. The west end of Kent Road will be closed for bridge repair.

Location D: Brown County State Park, Nature Center. Park map available at entrance; follow signs. Park entrance fee applies. The park’s North Gate will be closed for repairs.

Location E: Crooked Creek Boat Ramp. Drive 4.9 mi. south of SR 46 on TC Steele Road, bear left when road forks.

Location F: Allen’s Creek SRA. Take SR 446 to 10.1 mi. south of SR 46/446 junction. Turn right on Allen’s Creek Rd. and follow signs to Allen’s Creek SRA. Meet at upper parking area near restrooms. (39.41487 N, -86.09461 W)

Location G: Stone Head. From Nashville, take SR 46 E. 3.1 mi. to SR 135 S. Turn right and drive 5 mi. to T at Stone Head. Parking area behind house.

Location H: Brown County State Park, Saddle Barn: Park map available at entrance; follow signs. Meet in parking area. Park entrance fee applies. The park’s North Gate will be closed for repairs.

Location I: Brown County State Park, Ogle Lake. Park map available at entrance; follow signs. Meet in parking lot. Park entrance fee applies. The park’s North Gate will be closed for repairs.

Location J: Nashville IGA. Meet at IGA parking lot across from the McDonalds restaurant.

Location K: Brown County Hills Office. From SR46, take Old State Road 46 across from the North (Covered Bridge) entrance to Brown County State Park. Continue on Old State Road 46 for 0.5 mile. Veer Right on to Clay Lick Road. Drive 4.0 miles to 3478 Clay Lick Road, on left. Follow driveway to parking area.

Location L: Laura Hare NP at Downy Hill. From the intersection of SR 46 and SR 135/Van Buren St in Nashville, drive east on SR 46 for 5.5 mi. Turn right on Valley Branch Rd and drive 1.5 mi to the pull-off on your left. Parking is limited; carpooling recommended.

Location M: Story Inn. From Nashville, take SR 46 E 3.1 mi. to SR 135 S. Turn right, drive 5 mi. to T at Stone Head, turn right and drive 4.4 miles. Turn left into parking lot.

Location N: Kent Road Check Station. From the intersection of SR 46 and the west end of Kent Road, turn onto Kent Road, then immediately right into the check station circle.

Location O: Yellowwood State Forest, Office. From SR 46, drive north on Yellowwood Rd (turn at Knights). Drive 1.2 to T, turn left, drive .9 mi., bear right at junction. Drive .7 mi. and turn left into parking area.

Location P: Brown County State Park, Rally Campground. Park map available at entrance; follow signs. For Hike #13, meet at Trailhead #5. For Saturday evening Dinner and Program, #18 and #19, meet at Recreation Building. The park’s North Gate will be closed for repairs.