Got Nature? Blog

Wild Bulletin, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fish and Wildlife: Your contributions to the 2023 Turkey Brood Survey surpassed the goal of 3,000 observations. Between July 1-Aug. 31, you contributed a whopping 3,639 observations of wild turkey hens with or without poults. Thank you!

After DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife biologists removed duplicates and reports without exact locations, 2,203 brood observations are being factored into regional production estimates.

Because of your help, we can continue to track population trends and make important management decisions to foster healthy ecosystems in Indiana.

Why count turkeys?
Brood surveys provide useful estimates about annual production by wild turkey hens and the survival of poults (young turkeys) through the summer brood-rearing period. Summer brood survival is generally the primary factor influencing wild turkey population trends. Information on summer brood survival is essential for sound turkey management. Information gathered through the brood survey includes:

• Average brood sizes (hens + poults). For example, in the photo above there is one hen with seven poults, for a brood size of eight.
• Percentage of adult hens with poults.
• Production Index (PI) = total number of poults/total number of adult hens

What is a wild turkey brood?
A wild turkey brood is composed of at least one adult hen with young (poults). As the summer progresses, multiple broods may gather into what is termed a “gang” brood with several adult hens and multiple broods of poults of varied ages. During summer, adult gobblers (male turkeys) play no role in raising a brood and either form small male only “bachelor” flocks or are observed as a single gobbler.

To learn more please visit DNR: Turkey Brood Reporting.

Subscribe to Wild Bulletin.

Resources
Truths and Myths about Wild Turkey, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Wildlife, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Managing Your Property for Fish & Wildlife, Ask an Expert. FNR YouTube Channel
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Help With Wild Turkey Populations, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Turkey Brood Reporting, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IN DNR)
Wild Turkey, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IN DNR)
Wild Turkey Hunting Biology and Management, Indian Department of Natural Resources (IN DNR)
Subscribe to Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources YouTube Channel, Wildlife Playlist

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

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Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Newsroom: The 2023 issue of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s magazine, The Helm, is now available. This annual publication is a collection of program research, outreach and education success stories as well as ongoing activities to address coastal concerns. This issue is focused on stormwater management with green infrastructure, PFAS, and more, including how students are learning about water quality through hands-on opportunities.

Here are some headlines from this issue:

• Green infrastructure helps communities—large and small—be ready for the future
• With a Hydrolab, Students study their own environment
• Study finds PFAS in all tested Lake Michigan sportfish and their prey
• Aquaponics offers high schoolers a hands-on way to learn science, math, and more

For full article and videos please visit New issue of IISG’s The Helm highlights green infrastructure projects – IISG

To download this new issue please visit IISG’s Publications and Products.

Resources
Aquaculture Industry in Indiana Growing, Purdue Today
Walleye Farmed Fish Fact Sheet: A Guide for Seafood Consumers, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Sustainable Aquaculture: What does it mean to you?, The Education Store
Pond and Wildlife Management website, Purdue Extension
Fish University Podcasts, NR University, Collaboration with Mississippi, Florida, Iowa and Indiana Extension Services
Fish Cleaning with Purdue Extension County Extension Director, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources
Aquatics & Fisheries, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources
Eat Midwest Fish, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant online resource hub
Ask An Expert: Hot and Cold, Video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube channel
Informing the Development of the Great Lakes Region Decision Support System, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Improving Water Quality Around Your Farm, The Education Store
Scientists bring the Great Lakes to students learning from home, Got Nature? Blog
Adaptations for Aquatic Amphibians Activity 2: Water Quality Sneak Peak, Purdue Nature of Teaching

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)

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Purdue Extension Showcase, Purdue Extension Annual Report highlights Purdue Extension-Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces program: In Indiana, community leaders make decisions about public spaces such as parks, trails, and schools every day – decisions that affect the health and wellness of communities.

Purdue Extension’s Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces: Creating Healthy Communities program coaches communities through development of high quality action plans for public spaces, guiding decisions and better positioning communities to take advantage of opportunities to promote healthy eating and active living. The curriculum is designed for decision-makers and local leaders who have oversight and management of community public spaces, such as parks boards and plan commissions, public officials and their staff, and members of organizations whose missions relate to services, programs, or management of public spaces.

The program combines data collection and analysis with inclusive public deliberation to design action plans toward meaningful, sustainable improvements of public spaces focused on community health. The goal is to strategically guide policy, systems, and environmental changes to promote healthy communities.

Focusing on Blackford County, a series of online and in-person public participation workshops were conducted to gather residents’ input for the parks and recreation five-year master plan. Three visioning workshops – each two hours long – allowed community members to share assets and opportunities for placemaking, active living, and healthy eating. Podcasts and videos were provided, helping residents understand the conceptual framework. At the first visioning session, participants compiled assets and opportunities, and then voted on themes they felt needed to be the focus of the next two workshops. During the second visioning virtual session, participants focused on placemaking, active living, and healthy eating. In the third session, participants prioritized strategies. At the final session, also two hours, participants completed an action plan for each strategy for placemaking, active living, and healthy eating. In addition, a public survey was conducted to gather input from community residents who could not attend the sessions. Survey results, community data, and the action plan were presented to the community in a 62-page report.

There were 46 virtual participant surveys and 279 public surveys received. Demographics of survey respondents (n=182) were: 94% White, 69% female, and 44% age 25-44. A third (34%) reported they earned less than $50,000 annually, and 25% had attended some college but did not earn a degree. A post-program evaluation was completed by 26 participants (57%). Over 95% found the program informative, felt engaged in activities, and had meaningful discussions. Participants indicated significant takeaways were the concept of community capital, involvement is key, and the realization that there are resources and organizations in the county that can be partners for healthy living. Several mentioned takeaways were working together, communication, and that the program was a catalyst for progress.

Action strategies developed have seen progress since the plan was delivered. To expand and market community events in the parks and create outdoor movie nights downtown, Purdue Extension partnered with Taylor University Social Work Department, Hartford City, Firefly Children and Family Alliance, and Meridian Services to host a community movie night with a mental health awareness theme. More than 70 people attended. Resources, including a newly published community directory, were shared. To develop youth leadership opportunities for parks and public spaces, local students were asked what they would like to see in the community. Twelve high school students identified improvements to a basketball court, and asked for support from Purdue Extension to connect them with local funders. Students raised $1,700 through a Change War competition at school, and a pitch to the plant manager and human resource director at the local 3M factory resulted in an additional $1,600; new goals will be installed. As a result of this effort, a Mayor’s Youth Council will be started to focus on project-based efforts. Purdue Extension’s Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces: Creating Healthy Communities helped communities prepare public spaces action plans to boost economic development, improve the quality of life, and create a healthier place for individuals and families.

To read full article and others, check out Purdue Extension Showcase 2023.

Resources:
Community Development, Purdue Extension
Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces Program Video, Purdue Extension
Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces: Creating Healthy Communities, The Education Store – Purdue Extension’s resource center
Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces Curriculum, The Education Store
Sustainable Communities Extension Program Website, Purdue Extension
Conservation Through Community Leadership, The Education Store
Rainscaping Education Program, Purdue Extension
Subscribe to Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel

Purdue Extension

Kara Salazar, Sustainable Communities Extension Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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We all want clean water but sometimes it is hard to know how one individual or family can make a difference. People who have a home with a yard have the opportunity to make decisions that can protect and improve water quality.

Rain that falls on your yard does not necessarily stay in your yard. Some water is infiltrated into the ground, some is drawn up through plants and into the air, and some can run off and flow into a roadside ditch or storm sewer, where it continues to flow to a lake or river. This runoff can pick up soil particles, motor oil, lawn chemicals, or other pollutants on your property and carry them downstream, where they can cause water quality problems.

Anyone who has a home with a yard can help protect and improve water quality. This publication offers practical advice about reducing impervious surfaces, select proper landscape plants, effective management of lawns, installing rain barrels and rain gardens, and proper care of septic systems.

To receive the free download visit the Purdue Extension’s resource center: The Education Store – Homeowner Conservation Practices to Protect Water Quality.

Resources:
Improving Water Quality by Protecting Sinkholes on Your Property, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
A Landowner’s Guide to Sustainable Forestry: Part 5: Forests and Water, The Education Store
Improving Water Quality Around Your Farm, The Education Store, YouTube
Animal Agriculture’s Effect on Water Quality: Pastures and Feedlots, The Education Store
Improving Water Quality At Your Livestock Operation, The Education Store, YouTube
The Nature of Teaching: Discovering the Watershed, Purdue Extension-The Nature of Teaching
Rainscaping Education Program, Purdue Extension
Community Planning, Purdue Extension

Kara Salazar, Assistant Program Leader and Extension Specialist for Sustainable Communities
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Nick Burgmeier, Research Biologist and Wildlife Extension Specialist
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Laura Esman, Water Quality Program Coordinator
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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Purdue Agriculture News – Purdue Extension has been selected to support a multistate effort to help rural, tribal and underserved communities access federal funding for energy and environmental improvement efforts.

The University of Minnesota will lead the effort as an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) for Region 5 with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Purdue Extension’s Community Development program will provide central support in Indiana to help communities navigate federal grant application systems, identify partners and matching funds, and assist with project design and development.

“Purdue Extension is positioned well to connect with rural and underserved communities across Indiana with staff in all 92 counties,” said Kara Salazar, assistant program leader for Purdue Extension Community Development and sustainable communities extension specialist. “We look forward to working with regional partners as a liaison for communities in need of resources to assist with clean energy and water, affordable and sustainable housing, and addressing legacy pollution.”

Additional partners in Indiana include the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD), Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD).

Michael Wilcox, associate director of NCRCRD and assistant director and program leader of Purdue Extension Community Development, welcomes interested community partners to reach out to get involved.

“We look forward to connecting with communities across the state while collaborating with our partners across the EPA Region 5. This is another excellent example of states within the north central region working together as partners to address pressing issues while fostering community resilience,” he added.

“Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is enthusiastic to build on our ongoing programs as we partner on this broad project to help support underserved coastal communities around southern Lake Michigan and throughout the Great Lakes in addressing environmental challenges,” said Tomas Höök, director of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and professor in Purdue University’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources.

For full article . . .

Resources:
Implementation Examples of Smart Growth Strategies in Indiana, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Conservation Through Community Leadership, The Education Store
Conservation Through Community Leadership, website, Sustainable Communities Extension Program (SCEP)
Conservation Through Community Leadership, video, Purdue Extension You Tube Channel
Rainscaping Education Program, Purdue Extension
Rainscaping and Rain Gardens, Purdue Extension YouTube Channel
Tipping Point Planner, The Education Store
Tipping Point Planner, Purdue Agriculture YouTube Channel
Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces, The Education Store
Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces: Creating Healthy Communities, The Education Store
Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces Program, video, Purdue Extension YouTube Channel
Community Planning Playlist, Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Indiana Creek Watershed Project – Keys to Success, Partnerships and People, Subscribe to Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel

Abby Leeds, Senior Communications Specialist
Purdue Agricultural Communications

Michael Wilcox, Associate Director & Program Leader
North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) & Purdue Extension Community Development

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