Got Nature? Blog

Hummingbirds are a popular attraction in any backyard and we receive questions on when they will be coming to Indiana and how to attract them to your backyard. Our Purdue professor emeritus of wildlife ecology Barny Dunning in this interview for CBS4 Indianapolis titled “How to attract hummingbirds during peak migration,” shares how planting a variety of plants that bloom will help draw them in along with a simple hummingbird mixture.

The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only species of hummingbird that nests in the Hoosier state. These colorful visitors are migratory and arrive from their wintering grounds around mid-April.

Dr. Brian MacGowan has a publication titled Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Yard that is a great resource to share along with this video showing how to prepare your hummingbird feeders and how to find out when they will be migrating to your area. Hummingbird Central also tracks spring and fall migrations. Anyone can submit sightings on their website and view up-to-date sightings.

Resources:
Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Yard publication, The Education Store-Purdue Extension resource center
Virtual Tour Brings Forest Management for Birds to Life, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension FNR
Birding Through the Seasons, Indiana Forestry & Woodland owners Association (IFWOA)
Behold! The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Indiana, MyDNR, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension FNR
Breeding Birds and Forest Management: the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment and the Central Hardwoods Region, The Education Store, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources
Forest Birds, The Education Store
Managing Woodlands for Birds, The Education Store
Managing Woodlands for Birds Video, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
The Birders’ Dozen, Profile: Baltimore Oriole, Indiana Woodland Steward
Birds and Residential Window Strikes: Tips for Prevention, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
No Room at the Inn: Suburban Backyards and Migratory Birds, Education Store
Question: Is there any risk of becoming infected with avian influenza virus by feeding backyard birds?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension FNR
Preventing Wildlife Damage – Do You Need a Permit?, The Education Store
How to Construct a Scent Station video, The Education Store
Question: How do I properly relocate raccoons from my attic?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension FNR
Nuisance Wildlife, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel

Brian MacGowan, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources

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Purdue Landscape Report: These oak trees are showing the symptoms of smooth patch ( see below Figures 1, 2, 3).  This condition is the result of a fungal infection that is restricted to the outer bark, causing it to slough off. The bark layer remaining is smoother and lighter in color than uninfected, normal bark.

Patches can vary from a few inches to a foot or more in diameter and may occur on branches as well as the trunk.  Several fungi can cause this condition. A common species, Aleurodiscus oaksii, produces clusters of flat, disc-like spore-bearing structures on the surface of the smooth bark. These structures are gray or beige in color and are usually less than 1⁄2 inch in diameter (Figure 4).

The best time to see this interesting phenomenon in the forest is during wet periods in late winter before new spring growth begins, when the light gray bark stands out in the light penetrating the canopy. The fungal structures shrink when dry so will be more apparent following rainy weather.

 

The fungal structures may be mistaken for wood decay fungi, but because smooth patch fungi invade only the nonliving, outer bark tissues, they do not affect the health of the tree. No control measures are needed.

 

The fungal structures may be mistaken for wood decay fungi, but because smooth patch fungi invade only the nonliving, outer bark tissues, they do not affect the health of the tree. No control measures are needed.

Resources:
Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) YouTube Channel
District Forester, Indiana DNR Division of Forestry, for over 10 acres of woodlands
Directory of Professional Foresters, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA)
Indiana Woodland Steward E-newsletters, Eleven Member Organization
The Nature of Oaks Webinar, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel, Shared from Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Native Trees of the Midwest, Purdue University Press
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
ID That Tree – Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Invasive Species, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Invasive Plant Species Identification, Video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel

Tom Creswell, Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory Director
Purdue Botany and Plant Pathology

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Purdue Landscape Report: The bitter winter cold has finally passed us (or has it? It’s hard to tell in the Midwest)! The days are getting warmer and longer, and that means the insects are coming out of their overwintering stages. As you prepare for your landscaping and gardening this year, are you implementing preventative measures for pests? Now is the time to think about those strategies to minimize the damage to your plants.

Preventing pest issues is foundational to integrated pest management. The first step is always to start with healthy and clean plants. Don’t be afraid to bring a hand lens to the store and check for those hard-to-see pests! You don’t want to bring a problem home. Next, remember that many pests will thrive due to improper watering, light conditions, or fertilization. Avoid these issues by reviewing the recommendations for your plants and consulting a soil test. (Read more about why soil tests are essential!)

Finally, which pests/diseases do you anticipate? What are the most common pests on the plants in your landscape? Perhaps you have had issues in past years and know what to expect. Review the biology of these pests and consider implementing preventative measures now. Let’s look at a couple of examples of frequent landscape pests and some management options you can add to your list of spring preparations.

Spider Mites

Spider mites overwinter on the host plant or in leaf litter. Around this time of year, cool season mites such as spruce mites and boxwood mites are the dominant issue. Check your plants now for these spider mites, and scout regularly to make sure populations aren’t getting out of control. A rainy spring will help keep the pressure low. If you have to spray, avoid chemicals that will harm natural enemies, which are vital to spider mite management. (Learn more about spider mite management: Spider Mites on Ornamentals; and check out the Purdue Plant Doctor Quick Guide: Managing Spider Mite Mayhem)

Bagworms

Bagworms overwinter as eggs in the bags left on the tree. They’re frequent pests of arborvitae, junipers, and several other trees and shrubs. Take action now to prevent an infestation in the summer that requires costly pesticides. Manually remove the bags from your tree and drown them in soapy water. (Learn more about bagworm management: Bagworms).

Lace Bugs

Lace bugs may overwinter as eggs or adults, depending on the species. They become active again in the spring, so now is a good time to check for these pests. Focus on the undersides of the leaves where the pests are found. Lace bugs prefer hosts planted in sunny areas with a lack of plant diversity, so consider including some flowering plants in your landscape to provide pollen and nectar to beneficials. (Learn more about Lace bug management from the Purdue Plant Doctor Quick Guide: Managing Lace bugs).

What pests do you encounter in the landscape? Take a moment to review their biology and your options for preventative management. Be proactive now and reduce your pest problems for the season ahead. Read the original article, Insects are waking up – are you prepared?

Alicia Kelley, Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Coordinator
Purdue Extension – Entomology

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Welcome to “ID That Tree.” In this edition, Purdue Extension Forester Lenny Farlee introduces us to an autumn olive shrub found across Indiana. This dense shrub requires extensive control and management due to its effects on the habitat. Watch the video to learn about its aggressive growth, wildlife impact, leaf pattern, and other features!

 

If you have any questions regarding wildlife, trees, forest management, wood products, natural resource planning or other natural resource topics, feel free to contact us by using our Ask an Expert web page.

Resources:
ID That Tree – Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Report Invasive, Purdue Extension
101 Trees in Indiana, Amazon
Episode 11 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry Woodland Owners Association
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture

Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Purdue Department of Forestry & Natural Resources

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The Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory (PPDL) proudly presents its latest Annual Report, offering a comprehensive overview of the year’s most significant insights, diagnostics, and trends. This essential document covers critical topics such as spruce-tordon uptake, hosta virus X, ophiostoma ulmi, diamond back moth, lettuce slime mold, and bentgrass dollar spot. As an indispensable resource for growers, researchers, and the public, PPDL remains at the forefront of providing expert analysis on plant diseases, insect identification, and environmental concerns throughout Indiana and beyond.

Visit the PPDL Annual Reports webpage to find the 2024 report and view past reports.

About PPDL:
The Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory (PPDL) remains dedicated to helping protect Indiana’s agriculture, the green industry, and individual landscapes, by providing rapid and reliable diagnostic services for plant disease and pest problems. PPDL also provides appropriate pest management strategies and diagnostics training. They are a participating member lab in the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), a consortium of Land Grant University diagnostic laboratories established to help protect our nation’s plant biosecurity infrastructure.

Resources:
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture
Diseases in Hardwood Tree Plantings, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana
An Introduction to Trees of Indiana
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Tree Installation: Process and Practices, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Invasive Species, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
What are invasive species and why should I care?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
ID That Tree, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube playlist
Tree Defect Identification, The Education Store
Tree Wound and Healing, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources

Purdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory (PPDL)
Purdue Botany and Plant Pathology

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Join David and Mary Ray on a tour of their award winning forest in southwest Jackson County! The Rays are hands-on managers of their beautiful southern Indiana oak forest, and are excited to share the results of their management strategies with you!

Registration is required for this FREE EVENT. To register call or email Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana, Judi Brown, coordinator, 812-631-4904, JBrown@abcbirds.org. Registration is due April 3rd. Please share any dietary restrictions if needed.

Date: April 5, 2025
Time: 9:30am to 1:00pm EDT
Location: David & Mary Ray Property, Southwest Jackson County, 5 miles SW of Medora, event signs will be posted

Schedule:
Onsite Registration: 9:00 AM
Forestry Tour: 9:30 to Noon
Lunch: 12 to 1 PM, sponsored by Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA)
Maple Sap Gathering 1 PM, optional

Speakers Include:
David Ray, Property Owner
Dan McGuckin, ACF, CF, CWB
Dan Shaver, NRCS State Forester
Judi Brown, LSSI IN

Take note: This is a walking tour in a hilly forest. Be prepared for rough terrain; please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Limited on-site transportation assistance available, if needed. In the event of storm rain date is April 12, 2025.

To print flyer and view large map visit: Indiana Forestry & Woodlands Owners Association (IFWOA): Oak Management Forestry Field Day: Jackson County flyer (pdf).

For all IFWOA events and woodland resources view Indiana Forestry & Woodlands Owners Association (IFWOA) website.

Resources:
Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) YouTube Channel
Deer Impact Toolbox, Purdue Extension Pond and Wildlife Management
District Forester, Indiana DNR Division of Forestry, for over 10 acres of woodlands
Directory of Professional Foresters, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA)
Indiana Woodland Steward E-newsletters, Eleven Member Organization
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Invasive Species, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Invasive Plant Species Identification, Video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
ID That Tree – Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel

Liz Jackson, IFWOA engagement specialist & Walnut Council Manager
Indiana Forestry & Woodlands Owners Association (IFWOA)

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The Help the Hellbender research program, based in Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources, was honored with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)’s Friends of Conservation Award at the organization’s annual meeting in Salt Lake City on Feb. 11.

“This award means a lot to our program, not just because it’s always nice to be recognized, but because it demonstrates how our program has successfully expanded beyond just conserving wildlife,” Purdue extension wildlife specialist Nick Burgmeier said. “It’s a recognition of our commitment to working with partners and stakeholders to benefit both our wildlife and human communities. When we work together to protect the soil and the land farmers depend on, we are also working together to protect the water and the land wildlife, including Hellbenders, depend on.”

In its award recognition, the NACD noted:

“Led by Dr. Rod Williams and Nick Burgmeier, the Help the Hellbender Project combines research, education, and conservation to enhance the Hellbender’s habitat and promote awareness. Through a captive-rearing program, the project is helping to restore the dwindling population of hellbenders in Indiana’s Sinking Blue River Watershed. The Help the Hellbender Project’s multifaceted approach has benefited both local communities and wildlife now and into the future.”

The NACD award follows a county level Friends of Conservation Award from the Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District in February 2023 and an Indiana state level award in January 2024.

The Help the Hellbender team also received the Outstanding Achievement Award, Academic Sector, from the Indiana Water Resources Association in June 2023.

In March 2023, they received the Budd Denneman Partners in Conservation Excellence award from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife to honor outstanding conservation efforts. The Help the Hellbender partnership is a collaboration between the Indiana DNR and Purdue University with funding support from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and partners in local governments, universities, non-governmental organizations and zoos that are working to recover the state-endangered hellbender. The partnership is the largest and most comprehensive group working to recover an imperiled amphibian in Indiana.

The eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is a large, fully aquatic salamander, nicknamed the snot otter, water dog, devil dog, Allegheny alligator and water eel among other things. Their decline in Indiana started in the early-to-mid 1900s because of habitat loss and poor water quality. Hellbenders play an important role in aquatic ecosystems and are indicators of clean water.

For the last 17 years, the Help the Hellbender team has been researching eastern hellbenders, spearheading regional conservation efforts and advancing hellbender captive propagation, or the rearing of this ancient animal in captivity for their eventual return to the wild.

Each fall, eggs are gathered from rivers and streams in southern Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio and split among the Help the Hellbender lab and zoo partners, to be raised in captivity. At age three or four, the juvenile salamanders are returned to the wild with hopes of increasing the population and encouraging breeding.

Since the project began in 2007, 900 animals have been returned to the Blue River and surrounding areas, accounting for a 670% increase over the original population estimate from 2008-2010. Another 850 hellbenders, not including newly acquired eggs, are currently being raised in captivity.

The Help the Hellbender partnership had a major breakthrough in the summer of 2023 with the documentation of a larval hellbender in the Blue River while conducting routine surveys. This discovery is significant because over the past four decades, only adult hellbenders have been documented in the Blue River. The presence of a larval salamander suggests that conservation efforts and rearing programs are accomplishing their goals for the recovery of this endangered species.

Over the years, the lab has procured nearly $7 million in grants to fund engagement and research. All told, the Help the Hellbender lab has produced 33 research publications, eight extension publications and 12 extension videos to share about the species as well as how other researchers and the general public can aid hellbenders and other species by keeping waterways clear of obstructions and clean.

Given the multifaceted nature of hellbender declines and the broad scope of the problem, diverse stakeholders needed to be engaged to form a collaborative interdisciplinary team of organizations and conservation groups with a common goal. Consequently, a key feature of the program is the partnerships that have been cultivated. Help the Hellbender has assembled a diverse group of 24 partners, including federal, state, and local agencies, non-profits, industry, academic, zoological, and outreach-focused groups, to address the recovery of a threatened aquatic salamander. The HTH team provided the leadership necessary to bring these groups together to forge a successful path to conserve and recover the hellbender in Indiana.

The Help the Hellbender lab, now under the leadership of Dr. Jason Hoverman, is actively collaborating with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Nature Conservancy and the Sam Shine Foundation as well as several other partners across 13 states on a number of conservation projects and educational opportunities forteachers, children, farmers and more.

The newest addition to the partnership’s conservation efforts is the Farmers Helping Hellbenders project, which offers funding opportunities to agricultural producers in the Blue River – Sinking Watershed to implement conservation practices on their land to assist with topsoil retention, the improvement of aquatic resources and the recovery of Eastern Hellbenders.

The project, which is made possible by a $2.7 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program, aims to improve hellbender habitat in a four-county region in south central Indiana, the only remaining habitat for hellbenders in the state, by expanding the use of agricultural conservation practices that lead to decreased sedimentation in local rivers systems. Williams talks more about hellbenders and the Farmers Helping Hellbenders project in this YouTube video.

The program is already producing astounding results. When the first two years of signed contracts (2023 and 2024) are complete, they will result in:

• Reduction of sediment by 2,568,680 pounds per year
• Reduction in nitrogen by 9,040 pounds per year
• Reduction in phosphorus by 2,374 pounds per year

Eligible producers and forest landowners who wish to implement conservation practices on their land should discuss their options with their local district conservationist. For more information or to submit an application, contact your local district conservationist by visiting Farmers.gov/Service-locator.

An in depth look at the hellbender program’s success is available through the story “Rebuilding Indiana’s Hellbender Habitat” from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The article was shared from Purdue College of Agriculture News: Help the Hellbender Research Program Honored with Friends of Conservation Award.

Resources:
USDA Awards Farmers Helping Hellbenders Project in Funding, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) Got Nature? Blog
Improving Water Quality by Protecting Sinkholes on Your Property, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Improving Water Quality Around Your Farm video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Adaptations for Aquatic Amphibians, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Hellbenders Rock! Nature of Teaching Lesson Plan, The Education Store
Nature of Teaching – Hellbenders Rock Sneak Peek video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Nature of Teaching – Hellbenders Rock webinar video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Learn about hellbenders and take a tour of Purdue’s hellbender rearing facility video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Learn about the hellbender work at Mesker Park Zoo video, Purdue FNR Facebook
Learn about hellbender work at The Wilds video, Purdue FNR Facebook
Dr. Rod Williams’ 2017 TEDx Talk Help the Hellbenders video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Moment in the Wild – Hellbender Hides video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Moment in the Wild – Hellbender Release video , Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel

Wendy Mayer, FNR Communications Coordinator
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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In this episode of A Woodland Management Moment, Purdue Extension forester Lenny Farlee explores the unique characteristics of north-facing slopes. These shaded hillsides remain cooler and moister for much of the year, creating an ideal habitat for moisture-loving tree species such as Northern Red Oak, tulip tree, sugar maple, and black maple. They also support a rich understory of shade-tolerant shrubs and diverse plant life. Watch the video to see this environment firsthand and learn more!

If you have any questions regarding trees, forests, wildlife, wood products or other natural resource topics, feel free to contact us by using our Ask an Expert web page.

Resources:
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
The Nature of Oaks Webinar, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel, Shared from Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Native Trees of the Midwest, Purdue University Press
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners Video Series, Playlist, Indiana Department of Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Ask an Expert: Tree Selection and Planting, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Find an Indiana Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA)
Purdue Arboretum Explorer

Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Purdue Department of Forestry & Natural Resources

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Welcome to ID That Tree! In this video, Purdue forester Lenny Farlee examines one of Indiana’s most troublesome invasive shrubs: Amur honeysuckle. This aggressive species, along with other Asian honeysuckle varieties, is widespread across the state. It’s easily identified by its long, pointed leaves, smooth edges, and fine fuzz. Watch the video to learn more about its distinguishing features and the impact on Indiana’s ecosystems!

 

 

If you have any questions regarding wildlife, trees, forest management, wood products, natural resource planning or other natural resource topics, feel free to contact us by using our Ask an Expert web page.

Resources:
ID That Tree – Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Report Invasive, Purdue Extension
101 Trees in Indiana, Amazon
Episode 11 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
Professional Forester, Indiana Forestry Woodland Owners Association
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture

Lenny Farlee, Extension Forester
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center
Purdue Department of Forestry & Natural Resources

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Wild Bulletin, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fish and Wildlife: DNR’s nongame aquatic biologists are in the middle of a multi-year effort to restore snuffbox mussel populations in the Tippecanoe River. The snuffbox mussel reproduces in the wild by releasing glochidia (microscopic mussel larvae) that attach to the gills of a specific fish species, the logperch. The glochidia eventually grow into baby mussels, fall off the logperch, and mature while living in the bottom of a river.

To assist snuffbox populations in the Tippecanoe River, the nongame aquatics team is mimicking this life cycle. After collecting logperch, they infect the fish with glochidia from Salamonie River snuffbox mussels and hold them in underwater enclosures until baby snuffbox mussels fall off and mature to a taggable size. The snuffbox mussels produced are then used to bolster Tippecanoe River populations.

This project and many others like it are made possible because of donations to the Nongame Wildlife Fund. Having diverse, healthy wildlife populations improves the quality of life for all—and you can help. Donate to the Nongame Wildlife Fund to make a difference on conservation initiatives for the state’s most vulnerable species.

Subscribe to Wild Bulletin.

Resources:
A Field Guide to Fish Invaders of the Great Lake Regions, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)
Protect Your Waters, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service & U.S. Coast Guard
Profitability of Hybrid Striped Bass Cage Aquaculture in the Midwest, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
A Guide to Marketing for Small-Scale Aquaculture Producers, The Education Store
Aquaculture Industry in Indiana Growing, Purdue Today
Sustainable Aquaculture: What does it mean to you?, The Education Store
Pond and Wildlife Management website, Purdue Extension
Fish Cleaning with Purdue Extension County Extension Director, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources
Aquaponics: What to consider before starting your business, YouTube, Purdue Ag Economics
Aquatics & Fisheries, Playlist, YouTube, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources

Indiana Department of Natural Resources – Division of Fish & Wildlife

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