Volunteer to Maintain our Natural Spaces

Many volunteer projects are available for individuals and groups to help maintain and restore some

of Bloomington’s most scenic natural areas. Visit bloomington.in.gov/parksvol.

For more information, call Rebecca Jania at 812-349-3759 or email janiar@bloomington.in.gov. Register at bloomington.in.gov/parks or at the Parks and Recreation office, City Hall, 401 N. Morton St., Ste. 250.

Nature and the Outdoors

Winter–Spring 2020

Volunteer Opportunity Heart-Healthy Program

Roving NaturalistRoving Naturalists are available for private natural resource programs. To schedule a visit with one of

our Roving Naturalists, email janiar@bloomington.in.gov.

Boathouse, 3400 N. Headley Rd. Scenic woodlands teeming with wild flora and fauna

surround the 109-acre Griffy Lake at this 1,200-acre nature preserve. Swimming is prohibited. The Indiana Department

of Natural Resources has stocked the lake with bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and

crappie. Rowboat, kayak, canoe, and stand up paddleboard rentals are available seasonally at Griffy Lake boathouse. To protect wildlife and visitors, all dogs must remain leashed while in the preserve. Nearby Ferguson Dog

Park accommodates dogs off-leash. For more information, call 349-3700. The surface of the

lake often freezes in winter with varying ice conditions that can be hazardous. The City of

Bloomington assumes no responsibility for accidents resulting from individuals venturing onto the ice.

Griffy Lake Griffy Lake Nature PreserveNature Preserve

bloomington.in.gov/griffylake

Leonard Springs Nature DayIf you have an interest in the outdoors and enjoy working with children, sign up for Leonard Springs Nature Day. Station facilitators and group leaders are needed.

To register, visit bloomington.in.gov/parksvol.

Price is per person. Children under age 12 yrs. must be accompanied by a registered adult. Activities may be

both inside and outside, so please dress for the weather.

For more information, contact Crystal Ritter at 349-3725 or ritterc@bloomington.in.gov.

For weather-related updates, call the Community Events Hotline at 349-3754.

The Nature Sounds series combines a live, acoustic performance by local musicians with an educational nature presentation about the

sounds made and found in all of our outdoor spaces.

Nature topic: Spring Peepers Musical guest: The Viking Kittens

fiddle musicDid you know that there are frogs that chirp?

Others can whistle, croak, ribbit, peep, cluck, bark and grunt. Spring is a great time to appreciate the chorus of frog sounds. Learn about Bloomington’s local frogs,

and how their calls are as unique as the frogs themselves! You will have the chance to mimic frog sounds using props

while you enjoy a musical performance by the Viking Kittens.

Friday, April 10 • 6:30–7:30 p.m. Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St.—

South Activity LawnFREE • Bring your own seating.

Griffy Lake Rental Fees Canoe/Kayak/Rowboat/SUP Rental (Two-hour limit on holidays/weekends) ......................................................$8/hour10-Rental Pass .............................................................................. $70Available for purchase at the boathouse during regular business hours. Groups wishing to make boat rental reservations Monday through Friday may do so by calling Rebecca Jania at 349-3759. We do not reserve boats on weekends or holidays. Rented watercraft returned to the boathouse after closing are subject to a minimum $20 late fee. A minimum $50 replacement fee is charged for lost, stolen, or damaged rental items.Privately owned boat launch fees: $80/season, $8/day Boat motors are limited to electric trolling motors only.Boathouse hours: April and October: Saturday and

Sunday only, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. May–August: Daily, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. September: Daily, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. November–March: ClosedBoathouse phone: 349-3732

Griffy Lake Trails: Trail guides are available at the Bloomington Parks and Recreation office and the Griffy Lake boathouse. Please respect this fragile environment by remaining on the marked trails. Mountain biking, horseback riding, and off-road vehicles are strictly prohibited.AMENITIES: Seasonal restrooms and picnic tables next to boathousePARKING: Available by the boathouseTRAILS: 10+ miles total, wood chip and natural: Wetlands Trail .3 miles, Nature Trail .4 miles (loop), Griffy Creek Trail 1.5 miles, Hiking Trail 1.6 miles (loop)ACCESSIBILITY: Accessible canoe and kayak launchEco Outpost: Looking for a fun way to interact with the great outdoors? Visit the Eco Outpost, a hands-on place to explore nature. Check out our display of natural objects like fossils, pine cones, seashells, and more. Borrow an Explorer Backpack and take a fun-filled trek through the woods or your own backyard. The Eco Outpost is open during boathouse hours.

Women in Nature Gaining Skills (W.I.N.G.S.)Women in Nature Gaining Skills (W.I.N.G.S.) encourages and empowers women through teaching skills needed to partake in outdoor recreation activities in south central Indiana. Each W.I.N.G.S. event features woman-led, hands-on training, with the goal of building a community of women interested in the outdoors. W.I.N.G.S. events take place the third Sunday of each month and are open to ages 16 yrs. and up. For more information on how to join, visit SCINWINGS on Facebook.

Maple Syrup Made EasyA maple tree is all it takes to experience the sweetness

of homemade maple syrup. During this hands-on workshop, discuss tree identification, equipment, collection and

sugaring techniques, and learn the history of maple syrup and sugar. Take-home instructions are supplied, along with

a taste of the final product. This class is held outdoors, so please dress accordingly. Instructor: Kate Seader

Sa 2/29 • noon–1:30 p.m. • Register by 2/17 • 140001-A $6/in-city, $7/non-city • For all ages.

RCA Community Park, 1400 W. RCA Park Dr.— Meet at Small Shelter.

Build a Bat BoxPush up your sleeves and construct homes for the endangered

Indiana bat! Indiana bats come out of hibernation in spring, and begin looking for summer homes. Take home a kit to build a bat

box, or build one on site. We will also provide instructions for where to hang your new bat box, and tell you more about how

bats are beneficial to the ecosystem. Instructor: Sandy DrakeSu 3/1 • 10 a.m.–noon • Register by 2/24 • 140002-A

$10/in-city, $12/non-city For ages 10 yrs. and up w/parent.

Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St.— Meet at the Pavilion.

Gear Up for GardeningGardening season is upon us, and it is never too early to

start planning. Topics include plant spacing, seed starting, companion planting, and soil maintenance. Participants will leave with a tray of cold-weather seed starts of their choosing. Sign ups for the new community garden plots

at Switchyard Park will also be available. Welcome to a new season in the garden! Instructor: Sandy Drake

Sa 3/21 • 1–3 p.m. • Register by 3/13 • 140003-A $5/in-city, $7/non-city

For ages 10 yrs. and up w/parent. Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St.—

Meet in the garden shed.

Earth Day 2020Save the date for the city’s Earth Day celebration. The opportunity is before us now to use the 50th

anniversary of Earth Day as a catalytic event to reignite the environmental movement and unite the vast array of

groups and individuals who care for and protect the earth. For more information about the Earth Day Network, please

visit: www.earthday.org/earthday/countdown-to-2020.Sa 4/18 • 1-9 p.m. • For all ages.

Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St.

Pollination PreparationSpring is coming, and so are the pollinators! Learn the

many ways pollinators are crucial parts of a healthy environment, and how we can help local pollinators with their important jobs. Play pollinator games and make wildflower seed bombs. Instructor: Kate SeaderF 3/27 • 5:30–7 p.m. • Register by 3/20 • 140004-A

$5/in-city, $6/non-city • For all ages. Bryan Park, 1001 S. Henderson St.

—Meet at Woodlawn Shelter.

Early Bird HikeSpend a morning of discovery on a guided hike looking for

migratory birds as they make their way through Bloomington! Hone your observation skills and use field guides and bird

behavior clues to identify different species. Wear comfortable shoes for hiking. Binoculars and field guides are provided.

Su 4/5 • 9–10:30 a.m. • Register by 3/30 • 140005-A $3/in-city, $4/non-city • For all ages.

Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, 3300 N. Headley Rd.—Meet at boathouse.

Earth Week Creek CleanupThis Earth Week, spend time giving back by helping clear

debris along riparian corridors at Lower Cascades Park. We’ll provide trash bags and gloves; you bring your

enthusiasm and love of nature, and together we’ll help keep our waterways litter free! To be part of the cleanup,

sign up online at bloomington.in.gov/parksvol.Su 4/19 • 2–4 p.m. • Register by 4/16.

FREE • For all ages. Lower Cascades Park, 2851 N. Old State Rd. 37

—Meet at Sycamore Shelter.

Salamander ScrambleIt’s shower season, which means it is time for our amphibian

friends to come out of hibernation. Join our naturalist in rolling over logs and peeling back mosses to discover the fragile

creatures that love the wet and dark. Come prepared to get dirty and damp. Participants under the age of 12 yrs. must be

accompanied by a registered adult. Instructor: Kate SeaderSa 4/25 • 4:30–6 p.m. • Register by 4/19 • 140007-A

$4/in-city, $5/non-city • For all ages. Griffy Lake Nature Preserve,

3300 N. Headley Rd.—Meet at boathouse.

Total Yard Makeover:

From Lawn to Micro-prairieTransform your yard into an oasis of native plants that

support declining pollinator populations. You’ll get step-by-step instructions to transition a monoculture lawn into a bounty of wildflowers and grasses that are native to our area. Experts will

answer questions about your yard and provide insight about how to make your planting successful. Instructor: Sandy Drake

Sa 4/25 • 9–10:30 a.m. • Register by 4/20 • 140006-A $2/in-city, $3/non-city • For ages 10 yrs. and up.

Olcott Park, 2300 E. Canada Dr.—Meet at the Young Pavilion.

Foraging for FoodSpring is the season for vitamin-rich shoots, leafy greens,

and tasty flowers. Learn to identify some wild edibles on this leisurely hike. Wear comfortable shoes and

bring a water bottle. Instructor: Sandy DrakeSu 4/26 • 1–2:30 p.m. • Register by 4/20 • 140008-A

$5/in-city, $6/non-city • For all ages. RCA Community Park, 1400 W. RCA Park Dr.—

Meet at Small Shelter.