Monroe Lake has been a partner in WINGS since its inception in 2020. The goal of WINGS, which stands for Women in Nature Gaining Skills, is to encourage and empower women ages 16 and older with the skills and confidence they need to partake in outdoor recreation activities. Each WINGS event features women-led hands-on training, with the goal of building a community of women interested in outdoor recreation.

To kick off 2024, WINGS is holding a Mini-Expo in The Commons Building at Karst Farm Park in Bloomington on Sunday, Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. No registration is required. Women are invited to drop by for a “sampling” of past and future event topics: foraging, fishing and casting, tent camping, archery, birding, seed sowing, and stand-up-paddleboarding. The Mini-Expo is open to anyone interested in learning more about WINGS, as well as past participants who want a sneak peek at the 2024 schedule.

Winter Exploration Hikes

The Winter Exploration Hike Series features off-trail hiking through lesser-known areas of Monroe Lake. The hikes are exploratory in nature so there is no “set” path.  Hikers should be prepared for the possibility of rugged terrain, lack of formal toilet facilities, and lots of fun! Each hike lasts about 2 hours. The hikes are free, but each is limited to 20 people (recommended for ages 12+).

• Wed., Jan. 10 at 1:30 p.m. (Southfork – Robertson Cem.): Sign up by Jan. 7 at bit.ly/weh-jan10-2024 

• Wed., Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m. (Kirks Ford – near Story): Sign up by Jan. 21 at bit.ly/weh-jan24-2024. 

• Wed., Feb. 7 at 1:30 p.m. (Allens Creek SRA): Sign up by Feb. 4 at bit.ly/weh-feb7-2024. 

• Wed., Feb. 21 at 1:30 p.m. (Friendship Lane): Sign up by Feb. 18 at bit.ly/weh-feb21-2024. 

Annual Waterfowl Workshop

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) annual Waterfowl Workshop will be held Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis. 

Attendance will qualify contractors to conduct waterfowl control for hire in Indiana during 2024. All first-time waterfowl control operators (WCOs) are required to attend the workshop. 

Registration is required by Jan. 19. To register, or for more information on becoming a WCO, contact Jessica Merkling, urban wildlife biologist, at:  jmerkling@dnr.IN.gov, 260-244-6805.

Attendance is encouraged for all WCOs, but individuals who have attended the workshop in previous years may opt to test out. Others interested in taking the test should contact Debbie Walter, dwalter@dnr.IN.gov, 812-789-2724. The 2024 exam will be available February 1. 

Employees of WCO contractors are welcome to attend the training, but only individuals physically conducting waterfowl control for hire are required to attend.

Firewood Permits At Tippecanoe River State Park

  The public is invited to cut certain downed trees at Tippecanoe River State Park for firewood.

 Trees eligible for firewood have fallen as a result of natural causes or have been dropped by property staff. They are along roadsides or in public areas such as campsites and picnic areas.

 Permit sales began December 11 and will end on March 1. The cost of one pickup-truck load is $10. All proceeds will be used for resource management and restoration efforts, including replacement of trees in campgrounds and other public areas.

A firewood permit must be obtained for each load at the park office between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday at the park office. Permits are not available on observed state holidays. Wood may be cut and removed between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily. For more information, call 574-946-3213.  Firewood cut at Tippecanoe River State Park is for personal use only and may not be sold.

Tippecanoe River State Park (on.IN.gov/tippecanoeriver) is at 4200 N. U.S. 35, Winamac.

Funding To Reclaim Abandoned Mining Land 

In federal fiscal year 2023, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received nearly $24.7 million in federal funding to reclaim more former coal mines to their pre-mining status. 

Hoosiers who own such property are encouraged to report the property to the DNR — even if you don’t want the work done right away.

The funding is part of $377 million Indiana will receive over 15 years to reclaim former mine land and builds upon the historic funding Indiana received in fiscal year 2022. 

“Over the last 41 years, Indiana has worked to actively reclaim thousands of acres of former mine land, opening this space for new uses,” said Kit Turpin, assistant director for the DNR Division of Reclamation’s Abandoned Mine Land program. “With this influx of funding, we’re continuing to reclaim more land across Indiana’s coal country.” 

Because reclamation funding is distributed based on need, the AML program is cataloging future projects. Indiana’s eligibility for the federal grants depends upon the state’s inventory of abandoned mine land. To qualify for funding, the land must have been mined and abandoned prior to 1977.

Owners of such land should email their information directly to the AML program at abandonedminesrestoration@dnr.IN.gov. They may also call 1-800-772-MINE (6463) or the Reclamation office number, 812-665-2207.

Once land is reported, an AML project manager and the landowner will review the site together to determine if the impact on the property was caused by unregulated mining. If it was, the project manager will talk with the landowner to determine what needs to be done and discuss accommodating other requests they may have to add to the reclamation design. After the request is filed, the project manager will work closely with the landowner during the design process to ensure the property’s needs are met. If the landowner approves the design, the project is put up for bid through the state public works process. 

The contractor who wins the bid then completes the work under the supervision of the AML program. When the project is complete, AML conducts a meeting to assess the work and make sure all requirements and agreements have been met. Most reclamation projects can be completed within a year.  

till next time,

Jack

Contact the author by writing to this publication, or by e-mail to jackspaulding1971@outlook.com.

Spaulding’s books, “The Best of Spaulding Outdoors,” and his latest, “The Coon Hunter And The Kid” are available from Amazon.com in paperback or as a Kindle download.