Date: May 1, 2013
Program Announcement #1
Release Date: April 30 1, 2013
Contact: Wendy Smith, wendy_w_smith@nps.gov, 219-395-1987
Science Programs Offered at National Lakeshore
Meet with researchers conducting scientific investigations at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore on May 3 and 4 for "Indiana Dunes, Science, and YOU!" These interactive programs are designed to be fun for all ages and are sponsored by the National Park Service and the United States Geological Survey. Indoor presentations at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center will be followed by special field trips in the national lakeshore. All programs and field trips are presented free of charge. To enhance the fun, free educational materials will be available through a generous donation by the Dunes National Park Association.
"Science is a trajectory toward understanding", says Wendy Smith, Education Coordinator for the Great Lakes Research and Education Center. "We need science so we'll understand how best to care for our resources. This will be a great opportunity to learn how scientific investigations help park managers. At the same time, we hope it will encourage people to take an interest in science."
On Friday, May 3 at 7:00 pm, scientists will highlight what some of the research results from Indiana Dunes may tell us about the rest of the world. Presentations at the visitor center on Friday will explore stinging insects, what climate change might mean for dune environments, and how amphibians are responding to climate change. An outdoor, "Frog Frolic - Frog Call Adventure" will follow.
On Saturday, May 4 at 10:00 am, get a look into the minds of scientists. Presentations at the visitor center that morning will focus on scientists' use of inquiry throughout their investigations. Researchers will share their work on water quality and swimmers' health, invasive Oriental Bittersweet vines, Karner blue butterflies, and aquatic invertebrates. A lunch break will allow time for visitors to chat informally with scientists before a series of afternoon field trips. (Participants should bring their own lunches.) At 1:30 pm, join an outdoor field trip showcasing vegetation and environmental sampling, or a trip to sample aquatic invertebrates. At 3:30 pm visitors can select a field experience exploring microbes and water quality along streams and beaches, or one offering an investigative inquiry into wetlands.
These programs are designed for a general audience, but teachers attending can receive Professional Growth Experience Points. The indoor programs meet at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center at 1215 North State Road 49 in Porter, Indiana. For a detailed schedule of presentations and field trip locations, visit www.nps.gov/indu or contact Wendy Smith at 219-395-1987 or by e-mail at wendy_w_smith@nps.gov.
Program Announcement #2
Release Date: May 1, 2013
Contact: Ryan Koepke, ryan_koepke@nps.gov, 219-395-1882
Family Day at the Douglas Center
Enjoy hands-on family activities from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm every Saturday afternoon in May at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's Douglas Center. In addition to fun indoor activities, hike the Miller Woods Trail to Lake Michigan and let the kids enjoy the new Nature Play Zone where unstructured play in nature is encouraged. You can also help feed the center's resident turtles and fish.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is located in the western portion of the national lakeshore at 100 North Lake Street, in Gary about one mile north of U.S. Highway 12. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park's website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #3
Release Date: May 1, 2013
Contact: Julie Larsen, 219-395-1821
Wild About Water
Saving our water resources is the theme for a day of "Wild about Water" programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's Douglas Center on Saturday, May 4, from 9:00 am - 4: 00 pm. Join Urban Waters coordinator Natalie Johnson as she demonstrates a Land and Water Model that shows how our daily activities can harm our drinking water. From 10:00 am - Noon, attend a workshop sponsored by the City of Gary's Green Urbanism department and learn how to make a rain barrel and rain garden. This workshop is free, but does require pre-registration by calling 219-882-3000.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is located in the western portion of the national lakeshore at 100 North Lake Street, in Gary, about one mile north of U.S. Highway 12. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park's website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #4
Release Date: May 1, 2013
Contact: Ryan Koepke, ryan_koepke@nps.gov, 219-395-1882
Kid's Fun at National Lakeshore Visitor Center
Join a ranger in the activity room of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's visitor center for a Sunday afternoon of kid's activities, puppet shows, stories, and fun. Stop in between 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm to help your children learn a little more about your neighborhood national park. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located at 1215 N. State Road 49 just south of the intersection of 49 and U.S. 20 in Porter, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park's website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #5
Release Date: May 1, 2013
Contact: Ryan Koepke, ryan_koepke@nps.gov, 219-395-1882
Music Heritage Series at National Lakeshore
Join in with the Save the Tunes Council as they perform traditional music associated with spring and the month of May. Tune up your vocal cords and gather up for a sing-along on May 17, from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center.
The Save the Tunes Council is a group of local musicians devoted to preserving and passing on folk songs in the traditional way, using a variety of musical instruments including guitar, autoharp, dulcimer, banjo, harmonica, bagpipe, penny whistle, hurdy gurdy, and other obscure instruments.
Meet at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center located at 1215 N. State Road 49 just south of the intersection of 49 and U.S. 20 in Porter, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park's website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #6
Release Date: May 1, 2013
Contact: Ryan Koepke, ryan_koepke@nps.gov, 219-395-1882
Stewardship Day at the National Lakeshore - Planting an Heirloom Garden
Join a ranger at Indiana dunes National Lakeshore to help plant the garden at Chellberg Farm? On May 18, from 9:00 am - Noon, help with everything from pulling weeds to planting heirloom variety seeds. Please join us to lend a hand in helping get the Chellberg Farm garden off to a good start this growing season. Wear comfortable clothes; work gloves and equipment will be provided. Insect repellent and sunscreen are recommended.
The Chellberg Farm is on Mineral Springs Road between U.S. 20 and Highway 12 in Porter, Indiana. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit or contact the park's information desk at 219-395-1882.
Program Announcement #7
Release Date: May 1, 2013
Contact: Ryan Koepke, ryan_koepke@nps.gov, 219-395-1882
Spring Wildflower Hike
Join a ranger on May 4, from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm for a leisurely hike in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and enjoy the beautiful display of spring wildflowers along the Heron Rookery Trail. Trillium, Spring beauties, and Dutchman's breeches are just a few of the flowers you'll see along this trail that skirts the southern bank of the Little Calumet River near an abandoned Great blue heron rookery.
Meet at the Heron Rookery's east parking lot. For directions or more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park's website at www.nps.gov/indu.
www.nps.gov
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a part of the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
