During the recent warm weeks, I have monitored the activities and press releases of Indiana conservation officers throughout the state. They are unfortunately busy with water-related tragedies. In northern Indiana a child was swept away by high waters; kayakers have drowned from Lake Michigan to far southern Indiana; and boaters have perished from encounters with low-head dams. Alcohol doesn’t mix with water recreation, and the combination of the two has put officers in body recovery in several instances across Indiana. To help stem the tide of water-related accidents, officers have some suggestions. You should always recognize the danger water poses, even to strong swimmers or experienced boaters. If you are going to be recreating around the water, please remember these basic safety tips: •Always wear your lifejacket •Always tell someone where you are going and when you will return •Go with a buddy •Never venture around flooded or fast-moving waterways •Avoid alcohol In addition to basic water safety, conservation officers are also stressing the importance of boating safety and are reminding boaters to know the rules of the water. Reducing the boat’s speed in unfamiliar areas and being aware of unusual water conditions respective to the size and type of boat are among the important environmental considerations. Regardless of boat type, an initial assessment of the water levels and current speed are essential prior to beginning your voyage. Designating a sober boat operator should always be a priority. Alcohol causes impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slower reaction time. The impairments can be magnified by wave action, sun exposure, and wind. It is illegal to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft in Indiana while intoxicated from alcohol or drugs. Indiana law defines intoxication as having a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or greater. Another priority is lifejackets. Lifejackets should be U.S. Coast Guard-approved, be in good working condition, and size-appropriate. New lifejackets are designed to be lighter, less obtrusive, and more comfortable. Inflatable lifejackets allow mobility and flexibility for activities like boating, fishing, or paddling, and are much cooler in warmer weather. “A person is never too old to wear a lifejacket,” said Lt. Kenton Turner, Indiana’s boating law administrator. “The majority of Indiana drownings on public waterways involve adults.” To learn more about boating education and safety, see dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor/8678.htm Boxwood blight discovered at Home Depot The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been made aware of a shipment of boxwood plants at Home Depot stores containing the boxwood blight fungus. They have originated from a nursery named Cottage Gardens in Ohio. Boxwood blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata) is a fungal disease infesting members of the popular Buxaceae family, and is often transported through the nursery trade. Hosts include Buxus (boxwood), Pachysandra (Japanese spurge) and Sarcococca (sweetbox). Annual inspections of nursery stock by the DNR verify the pathogen is not indigenous to Indiana, nor can it be found in nursery stock sourced locally. When the fungus – which can lay dormant in drier conditions – is present, it can be found on all aboveground portions of the plant and presents dark leaf spots. It causes rapid defoliation, which typically starts on the bottom of the plant and moves toward the top. The fungal pathogen can move through sporulation in water and from dropped leaves. As a result, infection can spread to surrounding plants from a single infected plant. The infected nursery stock is currently being pulled from shelves in 13 Home Depot stores by nursery inspectors and Cottage Garden representatives, and will be disposed of in a manner preventing the pathogen from spreading to other stock. There are several varieties of boxwood sold in Home Depot. The only species currently testing positive for the fungus is Korean boxwood (Buxus Koreana); however, DNR is testing other species to ensure the pathogen has not spread. If you have purchased a Korean boxwood from a Home Depot store in the last month, contact the DNR for further guidance at 866-NO EXOTIC (663-9684). Wyandotte Caves reopens Wyandotte Caves is again offering people a chance to beat the heat this summer by going underground, where the temperature is a cool 52 degrees Fahrenheit all year. Public tours of the caves resumed on May 25, and are offered on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends. Wyandotte Caves is managed by the staff at O’Bannon Woods State Park and is located between Corydon and Leavenworth, on State Road 62 in Crawford County. Camping is available at O’Bannon Woods. Reservations can be made at camp.IN.gov Jackets are recommended for all cave tours because of the cool temperature. Remember to wear comfortable and sturdy shoes. Pets, alcohol, and tobacco use are strictly prohibited in the caves. Big Wyandotte Cave is closed from Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend to protect hibernating Indiana bats. The cave is one of the most important hibernacula in the state for the endangered bat species. It is available for tours, but the tours are classified as “rugged” due to the steep terrain and stairs. Tours take two hours and cover roughly 1.5 miles. Little Wyandotte Cave is available for pre-scheduled group tours throughout the year. The tours of this cave are open to all ages. They are shorter and easier than the Big Wyandotte tour, at 35-40 minutes, because of a lack of long staircases. The tour offers a view of many flowstone and dripstone formations; occasionally, a cave-dwelling species may be seen. Both caves reopened in the summer of 2016 after a multiyear closure prompted by the impacts of white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease affecting bats across the eastern United States and beyond. Small but beautiful flock Last month Chris and I were visiting our neighbors, the Bakers, and enjoying the beautiful view from their deck overlooking Big Flatrock River. Our host, Linda, mentioned she had seen an Indigo Bunting in the brushy undergrowth off of the deck earlier in the day, and she thought there may be more. Glancing in the general direction she indicated, I was surprised to see not one Indigo Bunting tucked in the willow branches, but two. In all my years of only occasionally seeing these marvelous tiny flying jewels, I’ve always seen just one each time. As I stood there watching the two tiny birds, Linda said, “Is that another one?” Picking up her birding binoculars, I could plainly see a third male Indigo Bunting! For the next 15 minutes, we watched as the three chased each other around the brushy river bank. Apparently, they were in competition for a mate, but we didn’t see any apparent candidates enticing their attention among the willow branches. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments may contact Jack Spaulding by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication. |