Heartwood Reunion

It's been a few weeks since the Reunion. The yearly event that brings together nature lovers and nature activists from across the Midwest. Here, attendees can learn from one another, make new contacts and share in camaraderie. Having never been to the Lazy Black Bear, the land and facilities where Heartwood met, I was excited to view the place. Orange and red leaves were beginning to litter the ground in the hills surrounding Paoli, IN. But we didn't see this when we first arrived. It was dark and music played from a stage just off of the road into the Camp. It felt festive, with laughter and great singing. We made our way through the field, past the composting toilets and solar showers, to what appeared to be a good camping spot. In the morning, we discovered otherwise, as our tent was now in the middle of a trail. (Sorry!) The next morning we were able to see everything in daylight: the pony, the chickens and roosters (we didn't have to see them, we knew first thing that morning they were there), the amazing kitchen area with a tree growing up through it, the lush forest with busy squirrels, and the wonderful people who were so diverse but guided by the same desire -- to protect our forests, while we still can. Central to the day was the circle of sharing projects and ideas. From the circle, I learned that if you share what you know and what you believe in with those around you, while showing them that you're not much different than they are, you really can change the world for the better. For instance, by sharing produce from your organic garden with a neighbor, while informing them of the reason why organic is so important, they may just switch to supporting organic themselves.

Amid the familiar forest and country scenery, which made me homesick for my past, I was reminded of a simple truth that is truly revolutionary: lead by example. Imagine the impact that could be made if each of us who are concerned about the state of the environment could influence a few people in our lives to live more ecologically aware, simply by encouraging them and showing them how. I left Heartwood inspired, with a renewed sense that we can all work together to create change.

Getting Away

The weekend of September 20th was a weekend for men to get away. Myself and 6 other men left wife and home to hit the wide open trail. Don't get me wrong, I love my wife dearly, but sometimes you have to get away from the everyday grind and get out into God's natural beauty. This adventure took us to Hickory Ridge Trail in beautiful Norman, IN. Hickory Ridge Trail is part of the wonderful Hoosier National Forest, the crown jewel of South Central Indiana. Hickory Ridge's backcountry trails, rolling hills, and rural crossroad communities make it a Hoosier favorite. (And one of my new favorites, for sure) The trail winds through a pine plantation, native hardwood forests and natural openings where you can see just about any kind of native Indiana creature. This brings me to another distinct feature about this area: that it's open to horses. Horses, and lots of them. Luckily, I'm not a trail snob; and I don't mind sharing the trail with lots of horses, horse riders, and horse waste. No, I didn't mind it at all. What made it even better was that the riders were friendly and gave us hikers a "howdy" around every corner. So, we all co-existed for the weekend and it was like one big, happy family of nature lovers. (I must admit, on some of the rolling hills I wish I was on a horse.) On a side note, the trail is also open to mountain bikers.

I need to get back to my normal job of being the accountant for the Hoosier Environmental Council, but I wanted to take the time to share the fact that the weekend was great fun. It was good to enjoy the outdoors and put the cell phone on vibrate. (Hey, us Americans are too connected to turn it off completely, at least it wasn't ringing at me!) My favorite part of the weekend was just being under the stars and smelling the fresh, cool Indiana air. I also cooked my dinner on Saturday night over an open flame. The dinner was made up of sliced potatoes, Indiana-grown tomatoes and some delicious spices. I had a ball cooking it on some coals to the side of the fire pit. The chocolate chip Cliff Bar was a tasty dessert to cap off an enjoyable hike.

Hope to see you on the trail soon!

Brady

There's History in these Hills

Because I'm new to Indiana, there is a lot to learn about the state and it's natural areas. Over Labor Day weekend, I took advantage of the beautiful weather and explored Mounds State Park, a small forested area of huge historical significance just outside of Anderson. The Park is aptly named for the mounds of earth formed and shaped by The Adena: the native people of this area around the time period 50 AD. These hills of earth have been formed into circles and set adjacent to one another in order to create a calender. By viewing the angle and direction of the suns shadow across the circle mounds, native people could track Summer Solstice, Spring Equinox, and other seasonal events. On the surface, the raised earth indicated the time of year, but underground different cultural hints have been discovered. These sites doubled as burial mounds, often for significant members of the tribe.

Here, along the forested banks of the White River my mind searched the landscape to picture this Adena camp. What was the land of Anderson Indiana like in 50 AD, nearly two thousand years ago? I imagine the soil was rich with trees and grasses, and the River was certainly potable, if not pristine. Of course the life of the Adena was difficult and trying, there were no conveniences. Yet, in imagining their tribal reality, I find myself envious of the earthly beauty that surrounded them and their intimate relationship with nature.

Celebrate the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 4, 2008, for a day at the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge, as the Hoosier Environmental Council and friends gather to appreciate this wonderful wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation resource. Stay tuned for further details about this fun and educational event.

The Mighty Wildcat

On August 2, 2008 a few of us from the office where exposed to one of the crown jewels of Indiana's rivers and streams. We were invited by a fellow co-worker at Hoosier Environmental Council to take part in the Paddler's Rendezvous held on an annual basis on the beautiful Wildcat Creek. When I first agreed to take part in part of the Rendezvous I wasn't sure what to expect because I had never heard of this particular body of water. I found that the Wildcat was a very beautiful, scenic trip that was teaming with wildlife.

We all found out about a very beautiful creek that day and a well hid treasure of Central Indiana. If you don't have your canoe or kayak along with you and find yourself in West Lafayette, stop by Wildcat Canoe and Kayak Too, ask for Rob and tell him that HEC sent you.

Why did the turtle cross the road?

As I stopped this morning to move an eastern box turtle off the road, I wondered why do turtles cross the road? No, it's not to get to the shell station.

In fact, eastern box turtles, as do many turtle species, cross roads in their search for food, nesting sites, and mates. You often see them on the road right after a rain, because they're looking for worms.

The eastern box turtle (terrapene carolina carolina) is native to Indiana and much of the eastern United States. They are threatened by habitat loss and disturbance resulting from land development, killed when trying to cross roads, and taken by animal collectors. In 2004 the Indiana Department of Natural Resources made it illegal to collect box turtles from the wild, because of concern about their declining numbers. Read more about this fascinating wild animal which lives in our Indiana forests.

Homage to our Writers

Some people may not be aware of this fact, but HEC is home to the Wabash Riverkeeper. (There's more about this program on the Wabash Riverkeeper webpage.) Rae Schnapp has held this post for nearly 5 years and is constantly working to understand the impact of CAFOs, clean up the river banks and track industrial polluters. Her passion for preserving the beauty of this historic waterway is evident by the hours spent educating the public about caring for their waterways and enjoying the beauty of the Wabash by floating down it or flying over it. Rae is always looking for volunteers to help with activities that range from river cleanups which address the most visible pollution – litter and trash – to monitoring water quality impacts and promoting innovative solutions. The Wabash River has been through hard times though the years, but anyone with love for the River can help to "De-Trash the Wabash". This periodic event will next be held on October 11. (More information will be posted on the HEC website.) In the meantime, check the Wabash Riverkeeper webpage on the HEC site to read updates on CAFOs and interact with Google Earth and other maps as Rae creates more ways for Hoosiers to explore the Wabash River. You can learn more from Rae as she writes here on HEC's Indiana Woods and Water blog.

The Hoosier National Forest may not be as it is today, a bountiful hardwood forest of Oak and Hickory under storied by Dogwoods and Ash, were it not for HEC's efforts back in it's early years. In those early years, 25 years ago, and still today, Tim Maloney keeps watch for the loggers, polluters and politicians who endanger our state's woodlands. He has worn many hats for HEC -- Board Member, Executive Director and now Senior Policy Director. Thus, it is no surprise that Tim is a wellspring of Indiana Naturalist knowledge. He knows the beauty and resources held in Hoosier Forests and what is at stake if they were to be lost. Tim's many years in service to HEC is solid proof of his determination to preserve Hoosier woodlands. Through this blog, Tim will continue to keep readers aware of which Bills may be threatening our forests, where environmental issues are occurring and what Hoosiers should do to preserve and protect Indiana's natural beauty.