Got Nature? Blog

For more than 100 years, Purdue Extension has worked alongside Indiana communities, helping residents access research-based information, trusted expertise and local support. Now, an exciting new chapter is underway.

As part of Purdue Extension’s transformation to a statewide structure with 12 regional teams, Indiana communities will have greater access to specialized expertise, stronger collaboration across counties and new opportunities to connect with Extension professionals. Purdue Extension has transitioned to a regional model designed to bring together experts from agriculture and natural resources, health and human sciences, community development and 4-H while continuing to serve local needs throughout the state.

Stay Connected Through New Regional Websites and Facebook Pages
Each regional team now has its own online presence where community members can learn about programs, meet team members, discover upcoming events and find resources tailored to their area. These regional websites will serve as hubs for sharing local success stories, educational opportunities and ways to engage with Purdue Extension.

Be sure to follow your regional Purdue Extension office on Facebook to stay connected with local events, educational opportunities, resources and success stories from your area.

Region 1: Northwest (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Northwest Region
Counties served: Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Starke and White

Region 2: North (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension North Region
Counties served: Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph

Region 3: Northeast (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Northeast Region
Counties served: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley

Region 4: North Central (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension North Central Region
Counties served: Cass, Carroll, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Miami and Tipton

Region 5: West Central
Facebook: Purdue Extension West Central Region
Counties served: Benton, Fountain, Montgomery, Parke, Putnam, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo and Warren

Region 6: Central (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Central Region
Counties served: Boone, Hamilton, Hendricks, Hancock, Madison and Marion

Region 7: East Central
Facebook: Purdue Extension East Central Region
Counties served: Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, Union and Wayne

Region 8: Southwest Central (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Southwest Central Region
Counties served: Clay, Daviess, Greene, Knox, Martin, Owen and Sullivan

Region 9: South Central (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension South Central Region
Counties served: Bartholomew, Brown, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan and Shelby

Region 10: Southeast (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Southeast Region
Counties served: Decatur, Dearborn, Franklin, Jennings, Jefferson, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland

Region 11: Southwest (website coming soon)
Facebook: Purdue Extension Southwest Region
Counties served: Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick and Posey

Region 12: South
Facebook: Purdue Extension South Region
Counties served: Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Orange, Scott and Washington

Explore Regional Highlights
Purdue Extension Announces Regional Operations Leaders, Purdue Extension News
Extension Launches Transformation, Purdue Extension
See Regional Impact in Action, Purdue Extension – West Central Impact, Creating Healthier Environments for Young Children
East Central Impact, From Research to the Field: Regional Collaboration at OPAC Field Day

Purdue Extension’s regional structure is built around a simple goal: helping communities thrive by connecting people with the expertise, resources and partnerships they need.

As these regional teams continue to grow, we invite you to explore your regional website, follow your regional Facebook page and discover new opportunities to connect with Purdue Extension.
Find your region. Follow your team. Stay connected.

More Resources:
Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR), Purdue Extension
Find Your Purdue Extension County Office, Purdue Extension
Purdue Extension 2025 Annual Impact Report, Purdue Extension
Facebook, Purdue Extension
Subscribe – Purdue Extension YouTube Channel
Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR)
Ask an Expert, Purdue Extension – FNR
Download Free Publications, Purdue Extension – FNR
Subscribe to Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel (videos include: aquaculture, fish management, urban and forestry management, natural resource planning, wildlife and sustainable biomaterials)
Purdue Extension resource center with additional publications – The Education Store

Purdue Extension

Diana Evans, Extension and Web Communication Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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MyDNR, Indiana’s Outdoor Newsletter: If it’s been a while since you’ve been in the woods, this fall is the perfect time to pick your bow back up or start bow hunting for the very first time.

• Fall turkey archery season: Oct. 1 – Nov. 1, 2026 / Dec. 5, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027
• Deer archery season: Oct. 1, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027

If you’re gearing up for firearms season, fall turkey firearms season opens Oct. 21, and deer firearms season begins Nov. 14.

• Fall turkey firearms season: Oct. 21 – Nov. 1, 2026 (select counties)
• Deer firearms season: Nov. 14 – 29, 2026

The bag limit each fall is one turkey of either sex per hunter. Deer season bag limits can be found in the current Hunting & Trapping Guide. You can easily check in all harvested game with the CheckIN Game button on GoOutdoorsIN.com or the mobile app.

Hunting Safety Tips and Reminders
Indiana DNR reminds you to stay safe this deer season. Hunting injuries most commonly involve elevated platforms and tree stands, so stay safe by following the guidelines below.

Tree stand safety before the hunt:

• Read, understand, and follow the tree stand manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check tree stands and equipment for wear, fatigue, rust, and cracks or loose nuts/bolts, paying particularly close attention to parts made of material other than metal.
• Practice at ground level with a responsible adult. If you need to sight in your equipment, find a shooting range near you.
• Learn how to properly wear your full-body safety harness.
• Make a hunt plan and share it with someone before your hunt.
• Wear your full-body safety harness.
• Use a tree stand safety rope.
• Make certain to attach your harness to the tree or tree stand safety rope before leaving the ground and check that it remains attached to the tree or tree stand safety rope until you return to the ground.
• Maintain three points of contact during ascent and descent.
• Wear boots with nonslip soles.
• Use a haul line to raise and lower firearms, bows, and other hunting gear.
• Make sure firearms are unloaded, action is open, and safety is on before attaching them to the haul line.

General reminders:

• Hunter Orange – know when to wear it and how much is needed on a ground blind
  • Hunter orange is required for all deer hunters during youth, firearms, and muzzleloader season. Hunter orange must be worn at all times during the hunt, including walking to and from the hunting location. Regardless of hunting equipment being used (archery, crossbow or firearm), if it is firearms season, you are required to wear hunter orange.
  • A ground blind must have at least 144 square inches of hunter orange material that is visible from any direction during any season in which a hunter is already required to wear hunter orange.
• Firearm Safety – Treat every firearm as if it is loaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot, and be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
• Print and complete a Landowner Permission Form if hunting on private land that isn’t your own.
• Remember to complete and attach a deer transportation tag immediately upon taking a deer. The tag should be attached to the deer during transportation and any time the deer is unattended.

Always bring emergency equipment with you on your hunt, such as a cellphone, flashlight, small first aid kit and extra water.

Read more about the guidelines and property rules here: Fish & Wildlife Properties.

Resources:
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Division of Fish and Wildlife, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Deer Reductions Zones, Division of Fish and Wildlife, IDNR
Ask an Expert: Wildlife Food Plots, video, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Handling Harvested Game: Episode 1, Field Dressing, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Handling Harvested Game: Episode 2, Hanging & Skinning, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Handling Harvested Game: Episode 3, Deboning, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Handling Harvested Game: Episode 4, Cutting, Grinding & Packaging, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Deer Harvest Data Collection, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
How to Score Your White-tailed Deer, video, Purdue Extension
White-Tailed Deer Post Harvest Collection, video, The Education Store
Age Determination in White-tailed Deer, video, Purdue Extension
Handling Harvested Deer Ask an Expert? video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
How to Build a Plastic Mesh Deer Exclusion Fence, The Education Store
Bovine Tuberculosis in Wild White-tailed Deer, The Education Store
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners: Managing Deer Damage to Young Trees, video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
New Deer Impact Toolbox, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension-FNR

Division of Fish and Wildlife, Indiana Department of Natural Resources

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Many people in the Midwest know about and admire flowering dogwood trees and their distinctive spring flowers, which display conspicuous white or pink bracts (flower structures that resemble petals). Reportedly, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were fans of this tree as well, planting them at their homes in Mount Vernon and Monticello, respectively. Did you know that we have nine native dogwood species in the Midwest?

I’m sourcing information from two books written by Purdue University experts, Native Trees of the Midwest and Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest.

All but one of our native dogwoods (Cornus spp.) have an opposite leaf arrangement, and the leaves look similar, with veins that form an arc that follows the leaf’s shape toward the tip. This characteristic is known as arcuate venation. Fruit can vary among species, exhibiting hues of red, white, or blue. Fall leaf color usually ends in a deep red color. Although I won’t cover pith color (the center of the stem) in detail here, pith color of first- and second-year twigs is usually another good tool for identification. Most species have red or green twigs that add winter interest.

Homeowners may concentrate on the traditional flowering dogwood (C. florida) tree. It is a small tree, usually not exceeding 30-40 feet in height. It is moderately shade-tolerant and may struggle in full sun in home landscapes. In natural areas, it is typically found mixed with hardwoods and conifers in open woods and woods’ edges in rich, well-drained soils.

In addition to the flowering dogwood tree, other native dogwoods are considered shrubs.

Pagoda dogwood (C. alternifolia) is a small tree-sized shrub reaching heights of 18 to 20 feet. Its layered branching with upswept branch ends on older specimens resembles the roof of a Japanese pagoda. This shrub is also known as alternate-leaf dogwood; it is the only native dogwood with an alternate leaf arrangement. Fall leaf color features multiple hues and usually ends in deep burgundy. It is a beautiful and popular choice in home landscapes.

Bunchberry or dwarf cornel (C. canadensis) is the smallest of the native dogwoods. At a maximum height of 8 inches, it is classified as a sub-shrub. It is more common in northern states because it is unable to survive in soil temperatures greater than 65 degrees. Underground rhizomes allow large colonies of this plant to form.

Swamp dogwood (a.k.a. southern swamp dogwood, stiff dogwood; C. foemina or C. stricta) is found mainly in southern Indiana counties in poorly drained woodlands. It can grow to 9 feet in forest understories.

Rough leaf dogwood (C. drummondii or C. asperifolia) is one of our largest native shrubby dogwoods, growing to 12-15 feet or more. As the name suggests, leaves are rough with hairs on the underside. This shrub is easy to grow, but it needs room to grow. Suckers will give rise to new plants but can be controlled with mowing. First-year twigs are reddish-brown with flattened hairs, turning gray and hairless the second year.

Silky dogwood or pale dogwood (C. obliqua or C. amomum) has reddish twigs and a brown pith. The bark is reddish gray with vertical light brown shallow fissures, unique to this dogwood. In nature, this shrub is found along ponds, lakes, streams, and swamps, so it is usually associated with water. It is relatively easy to grow and is commonly found in nurseries.

Gray dogwood or northern swamp dogwood (C. racemosa) only gets about 4-5 feet tall. It frequently forms dense clonal communities that offer cover to wildlife. It can be found in nurseries that specialize in native plants. It is adaptable to wet or dry locations.

Round-leaf dogwood (C. rugosa) is a 5-6 feet tall shrub, more commonly found in the northern tier of Indiana counties. It has pinkish-green, purple, or yellow twigs that become rough with age. As the name suggests, its leaves are broadly ovate (rounder) than those of other shrub dogwoods and may resemble the leaves of flowering dogwood trees. Root suckering can produce small clumps that become small thickets over time.

Red-osier dogwood (a.k.a. red twig dogwood or American dogwood; C. sericea or C. stolonifera) is especially adaptable and the most widely available native shrub dogwood in midwestern nurseries. Its wine-red twigs (when young) are a landscape feature that stands out in winter. Bark on older specimens turns from red to greenish and eventually to grayish-brown. At up to 9 feet tall, it is one of the larger dogwoods, and it’s easy to grow and maintain. In natural areas, it is found in wet, boggy places and is a sun-loving shrub that will tolerate some shade.
You may also come across other non-native dogwoods available in nurseries, such as kousa dogwood (C. kousa), Tatarian dogwood (C. alba), or cornelian cherry dogwood (C. mas).

Identifying dogwoods (especially the shrubs) can be difficult, partly because all the leaves look similar. Finding a good field guide or identification book will help. Some plant identification apps may do a decent job but may need to be double-checked by a good reference book. Find additional information at the Purdue Arboretum.

Resources:
Intro to Trees of Indiana: Flowering Dogwood – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Flowering Dogwood, Native Trees of Indiana River Walk, Purdue Fort Wayne
Fifty Common Trees of Indiana
Cornus alternifolia, The Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Native Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
An Introduction to Trees of Indiana, The Education Store
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
ID That Tree, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel-playlist
Woodland Management Moment, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel-playlist

John E. Woodmansee, Extension Educator,
Agriculture/Natural Resources

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Purdue Landscape Report: Fall is one of my favorite times of year. The temperatures begin to cool, the humidity drops, and the landscape starts its annual transformation as trees trade their summer greens for shades of yellow, orange, and red. For those of us who enjoy spending time outdoors, it can also be one of the most pleasant times of year to work in the landscape.

As fall approaches, one question I frequently hear is:
“Is fall a good time to plant a tree?” The answer is yes!

In fact, fall can be an excellent time to add a new tree to your landscape. Cooler temperatures and decreased drought stress can make the transition from nursery to landscape less stressful for newly planted trees. As long as you select an appropriate tree, plant it correctly, and provide proper care after planting, a fall planting can give a tree an excellent start.

Why plant trees in the fall?
One of the biggest advantages of fall planting is the weather. Compared with the heat of summer, cooler fall temperatures reduce heat stress and typically lower evapotranspiration—the amount of water lost from plants and soil to the atmosphere.

Fall also shifts the tree’s priorities. Rather than putting most of its energy into producing new shoots and leaves, a deciduous tree is preparing for dormancy and continuing to develop its root system. Planting during this period can allow roots to become established before the tree has to deal with the heat and water demands of the following summer.

Of course, cooler temperatures and fall rainfall do not eliminate the need to water a newly planted tree. Newly installed trees still require regular attention while their root systems become established.

What should I consider when planting in the fall?
There are a few important considerations to keep in mind.

• Water is still important. If rainfall isn’t providing approximately 1 inch of water per week, newly planted trees will need supplemental irrigation. A useful general guideline is approximately 5 gallons of water per week for every inch of trunk diameter, although actual watering needs will vary depending on soil, weather, tree size, and site conditions. Rather than relying solely on a calendar, check the soil and adjust watering based on conditions.
• Don’t forget to mulch. Apply a layer of organic mulch over the root zone to help conserve soil moisture and moderate soil temperatures. Keep mulch away from direct contact with the trunk—avoid creating the familiar “mulch volcano” around the base of the tree.
• Give the tree time to establish. Ideally, trees should be planted early enough in the fall to allow their roots to become established before the ground freezes. A common recommendation is to allow approximately six weeks between planting and the first hard freeze.
• Choose the right tree for the site. Fall is a good planting season, but it doesn’t make a poorly matched tree a good choice.
• Consider the mature size of the tree, available growing space, soil conditions, sunlight, drainage, and other site characteristics before making your selection.Think about winter protection. Some trees, particularly broadleaf evergreens, may be more susceptible to winter injury because they continue to lose moisture through their leaves when the ground is frozen and roots cannot readily replace that water. Newly planted trees may also benefit from protection against trunk damage from wildlife or winter sun exposure, depending on the species and site.

Give your tree a good start
Planting a tree is a long-term investment. The work you put into selecting, planting, watering, and caring for a tree during its first few years can have a significant impact on its future health and structure.

So, if you’ve been waiting for cooler weather to add a tree to your landscape, fall can be a great time to get planting. Choose the right tree for the right place, plant it properly, and don’t forget about it once the leaves have fallen.

If you have questions about selecting, planting, or caring for a tree, contact your local Extension office or consult an ISA Certified Arborist for site-specific advice. You can find an ISA Certified Arborist through Find an Arborist.

Original article and Additional resources are available through the Purdue Landscape Report.

Subscribe and receive the newsletter: Purdue Landscape Report Newsletter.

Resources:
The Purdue Landscape Report
Planning the Tree Planting Operation, The Education Store
Tree Risk Management – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Tree Planting Part 2: Planting Your Tree, The Education Store
Planting Your Tree Part 1: Choosing Your Tree, Purdue Extension YouTube Channel
Summer Tree Care, Purdue Landscape Report
Tree Defect Identification, The Education Store
Tree Wound and Healing, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources
Surface Root Syndrome, The Education Store
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, The Education Store
Ask an Expert: Tree Selection and Planting, Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube playlist
ID That Tree, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube playlist
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel

Ben McCallister, Urban Forestry Specialist
Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources

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Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG): Understanding what consumers think about fish can help aquaculture producers, marketers, and industry partners communicate more effectively. A new publication from Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant provides research-based guidance to help the Midwest aquaculture industry strengthen consumer connections and promote locally produced fish.

The publication, Catch a Following: Messaging Strategies for US Midwest-Produced Fishes, translates social media sentiment research into practical communication strategies for producers working with Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch and Rainbow Trout. The goal is to help the industry build consumer trust, highlight sustainability efforts and strengthen the market position of Midwest-produced fish.

To discover more about this research and what it reveals about consumer attitudes toward Midwest-produced fish, download the publication, Catch a Following: Messaging Strategies for US Midwest-Produced Fishes.

Resources:
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)
IISG YouTube Channel, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)
Aquatics & Fisheries, YouTube Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Sustainable Aquaculture: What does it mean to you?, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s Resource Center
Guide to Marketing for Small-Scale Aquaculture Producers, The Education Store
A Guide to Small-Scale Fish Processing Using Local Kitchen Facilities, The Education Store
Marine Shrimp Biofloc Systems: Basic Management Practices, The Education Store
Seafood Basics: A Toolkit for Understanding Seafood, Nutrition, Safety and Preparation, and Sourcing, The Education Store
Fish Muscle Hydrolysate, The Education Store
Bluegill Farmed Fish Fact Sheet, The Education Store
Aquaculture Industry in Indiana Growing, Purdue Today
Rainbow Trout Farmed Fish Fact Sheet w/recipe, The Education Store
Atlantic Salmon Farmed Fish Fact Sheet w/recipe, The Education Store
Largemouth Bass Farmed Fish Fact Sheet w/recipe, The Education Store

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG)

Diana Evans, Extension & Web Communications Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

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Purdue Stories: This amphibious rock star gets its own educational video game with the help of Purdue research.

The eastern hellbender salamander will never win a wildlife beauty pageant. It’s believed that it got its name from settlers who said it looked like a creature from hell that was “hell-bent” on going back there. But it turns out that the hellbender could probably win the pageant’s talent contest because of all the good it does for the ecosystem.

Purdue research has revealed that the hellbender is one salamander that just might capture your heart.

Once endangered in Indiana and at risk in other parts of America, the hellbender does so much good that it inspired its own custom-built Minecraft experience. Yes, Minecraft — the one with its own movie starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, and millions of players from every single country worldwide.

Helped by Boilermaker researchers first organized by Rod Williams, a former Purdue professor now on the faculty at Texas Tech University, “Help the Hellbender — A Minecraft Conservation Quest” was created for the Minecraft Education realm.

This new game lets players traverse the hellbender’s underwater world, overcoming challenges and learning about why we all need to protect this superstar amphibian, whose health helps reveal the health of rivers and streams.

With millions of young Minecraft lovers around the world, the game is an ideal vehicle to reach middle schoolers and high schoolers — its target audiences.

It’s hoped that those students will discover not only a fascination with this lovable amphibian, but also a sense of environmental stewardship.

Roni Bullock, a senior Purdue Extension educator and forestry and natural resources graduate student, who has written lesson plans for teachers to use in combination with the game, says she sees the Minecraft game-based learning experience as a digital adventure that connects young minds to the living systems that sustain them.

“The hellbender might not look glamorous,” she says with a laugh, “but once you get to know it, you realize how much it tells us about the health of our rivers and streams. It’s a perfect species to show why protecting water matters.”

A living water-quality monitor

Looking like very slimy, super-overgrown tadpoles — their unique nicknames include “snot otter” and “water dog” — hellbenders can grow up to 2 feet long and weigh nearly 5 pounds.

You might notice that the hellbender’s wrinkly skin looks a bit like wet lasagna noodles. That’s because it lives underwater and breathes through its skin. This also is a main reason it’s so vital to humans. Because it absorbs oxygen through its skin, it’s a living water-quality monitor — a sentinel — for the health and purity of waterways.

When hellbenders get sick or fail to reproduce, water conservationists know they need to figure out what’s wrong with their watery habitat and then work to fix it.

Jason Hoverman, professor of vertebrate ecology in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources in Purdue’s College of Agriculture, says hellbenders are coming back in Indiana after their numbers were estimated at less than 1,000 before 2010. He says their comeback story is all about teamwork.

“We’ve released over 1,000 hellbenders into Indiana streams in the last decade and, just two summers ago, we found the first evidence that they’re reproducing again,” he says. “That was huge. It meant the population was not just surviving — it was recovering.”

The hellbender makes a comeback

The recovery is no accident. “It’s been a massive partnership,” Hoverman says. “We work with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, several zoos and nonprofits. Everyone’s doing their part to make sure this species has a future.”

The collaboration even stretches beyond Indiana, linking scientists and conservationists across more than a dozen states in the hellbender’s range from New York to Georgia.

Hoverman and his team study the eastern hellbender, found mostly in the cold, rocky streams of southern Indiana near the Kentucky border. “They used to be found farther north,” he says, “but as water quality declined and habitats changed, their range shrank.”

Today, much of the work focuses on protecting and restoring those last strongholds — particularly the Blue River, where Purdue scientists monitor conditions closely. “It’s encouraging; overall, the water quality there has really improved,” Hoverman says.

But the battle isn’t over. Farming practices that strip soil from fields can send clouds of mud into streams, filling in the under-rock crevices where hellbenders stay hidden from predators and protect their eggs.

“If you have bare farm fields and heavy rain, that soil can just slide into the river,” Hoverman says. “It’s like a mudslide filling in all the spaces they need to live.” He says the solution can be surprisingly simple: planting cover crops and buffer strips of trees at the edges of farm fields to retain soil and nutrients. “Those practices help farmers, too — they conserve soil and nutrients, so everyone wins.”

Hoverman sees the hellbender as an essential messenger: “When hellbenders are thriving, it means our water is clean enough for us to thrive, too. If we take care of them, we’re really taking care of ourselves.”

Learning species conservation through play

When Minecraft’s virtual gaming platform enables players to dive into the world of the hellbender, Bullock wants to make sure those players resurface with a purpose.

“When they play, students get to experience three different roles,” Bullock says. “They’ll choose to be a wildlife biologist working in the field, a lab researcher helping raise hellbenders in captivity or a conservationist collaborating with local landowners. And at the end, they can actually become the hellbender itself, experiencing how human activities affect its world.”

By taking on those roles, players will experience the problems as well as the possibilities. “I want students to see that people really do have an impact on the environment around them,” Bullock says. “But I also want them to feel empowered — to realize that they can make a difference. Whether it’s through farming practices that prevent runoff or by pursuing careers in conservation biology, these are all ways to help protect wildlife and clean water.”

Bullock’s lesson plan will become part of Purdue Extension’s signature curriculum for teachers nationwide — and even internationally.

“It’s free for teachers everywhere, and anyone can download it,” Bullock says. “The lesson I’ve written is designed to pair with the game so that teachers can engage students and draw out the key concepts afterward.”

Her lesson plan will soon be available on Purdue Extension’s Nature of Teaching website as well as the Help the Hellbender homepage. “We want it to be easy; just click, play and learn,” Bullock says.

For the Purdue scientists behind the project, the goal extends far beyond the screen. Every student who plays and every teacher who shares the lesson helps build a generation that values clean water, resilient ecosystems, and the intriguing and mysterious creatures that depend on them.

As Bullock puts it, “If the hellbender can inspire even a few students to care about conservation, then that’s a win for everyone — including the rivers we all share.”

Resources:
Help the Hellbender website
Help the Hellbender Facebook page
Ask the Expert: Learn All About Hellbenders and Take a Tour, Subscribe to Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Ask the Expert video: Help the Hellbender – Dr. Stephen Spear of The Wilds, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Ask the Expert video: Live with Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Gardens – Hellbenders, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
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
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
Adaptations for Aquatic Amphibians, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Hellbenders Rock! Nature of Teaching Lesson Plan, The Education Store

Amy Raley, Senior Content Writer,
Purdue Brand Studio

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Purdue Landscape Report: When considering trees, shrubs, and forbs or grasses to plant for landscaping, a little research in advance can lead to dual benefits for both the appearance of your planting area and a wildlife-friendly landscape. Our native wildlife species are tuned into using our native plant species, so selecting plants that are naturally found in your area is a first positive step for plantings that benefit native animals. This can happen at a lot of levels. Oaks are a good example of this multi-level benefit. We might naturally think of the acorns that oak trees produce as the major wildlife food benefit, and it is extremely important for a host of mammal and bird species including jays, turkey, squirrels and deer. It is less obvious, but no less important, that oaks support hundreds of insects that feed on their leaves and acorns, and those insects support many species of birds and other animals that feed on them. Indiana has over 17 species of oak trees native to the state, so there is an oak tree suited to almost any site or situation.

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It is natural to think of spring as the season of flowers in our woodlands, but summer can also provide some outstanding displays of native bloom. In addition, these flowers are often attracting some of our largest and showiest butterflies and bumblebees. Here are a few of the late summer flowers you may encounter in local woodlands. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Wood Nettle is a look-but-don’t-touch type of plant. While I find the foamy white flowers attractive, the stinging hairs along the stems and under the leaves feel like instant poison ivy. This is one of the reasons Foresters don’t wear short pants in the woods! It is a good indicator of moist and fertile soils.

 

 

 

Wingstem is a large plant with thin ridges along the stems providing the name. These head-high and taller plants of edges, thin woodlands and fertile soils put on a great display. It seems to be a common plant in black walnut plantations as both the good soils and light shade favor its growth.

 

 

 

Tall Bellflower catches the eye as blues seem to stick out in the green and yellow dominated foliage. I see this attractive star-shaped flower on tall stalks at the edge of woodlands and in areas where more sunlight enters the forest understory.

 

 

 

 

Pale or Yellow Jewelweed is in the same genus as the impatiens found in the garden stores. The tube flowers turn into spring-loaded seed pods that pop with the least amount of pressure applied by a finger and thumb. It is hard not to be startled even if you have experienced this mini-explosion before. Spotted Jewelweed is very similar, but has orange flowers with dark dots.

 

 

White Snakeroot can be quite common in forest understories. The white flowers may be the dominant bloom in some woodlands, partly because of the toxic nature of the plant. It is toxic to both livestock and humans and is the source of the milk sickness that killed Abraham Lincolns mother. Cows grazing in woodlands would eat the white snakeroot, which tainted the milk consumed by the pioneer families.

 

 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit flowers in the spring, but the cluster of red berries which ripen in the late summer and fall are large and bright, so they draw attention. While toxic to humans some birds and other wildlife will consume the seeds. The less common, but related Green Dragon plant has similar berry clusters.

Great Blue Lobelia has a name that matches its visual impact. The tall spikes of brilliant blue flowers are excellent for pollinators and put on a great show. This is a plant of woodland edges and moist soils, but can get to be 4 feet tall, with large numbers of flowers, so it is hard to miss when present.

 

 

Resources:
Celebrate Pollinator Week with Flowers of June Tour, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Pollinator Conservation Education, Purdue Extension – Entomology
What’s buzzing in your backyard? Learn about protecting pollinators, beekeeping with Purdue Extension, Purdue Extension News
Indiana Monarch and Pollinator Conservation website
Protecting Pollinators: Protecting Pollinators in Home Lawns and Landscapes, publication, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Tracking the Bloom, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Indiana’s Native Orchids, Indiana Forestry & Woodlands Association (IFWOA) Webinar
Landscape Uses of Native Plants, Indiana Native Plant Society
Find an Arborist video, Trees are Good-International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
Tree Installation: Process and Practices, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Tree Planting Part 1: Choosing a Tree video, Purdue Extension
Wildflowers and Ferns of Indiana Forests: A Field Guide, Google Books
Intro to Trees of Indiana: Flowering Dogwood, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
ID That Tree Spring Bloom Edition: Bladdernut, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
ID That Tree, Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube playlist

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

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Have you been hearing more annoying buzzing around your ears than normal? Maybe you’ve got an itch you just can’t seem to scratch. There’s a good explanation for that.

Indiana saw record amounts of rainfall in August, resulting in flooding across the state. These rain events and flooding, along with a warm start to September, have created the perfect storm of conditions for a large boom in mosquito populations. Although flooding itself may temporarily wash away some mosquito larvae, the standing water left behind as floodwaters recede can provide abundant new breeding habitat. Floodwater is one of several important mosquito breeding environments in Indiana, along with woodland pools, slow-moving streams, ditches, marshes and the edges of lakes.

Indiana is home to more than 50 species of mosquitoes, and different species use different types of water for reproduction. Some mosquitoes are associated with floodwater and other natural habitats, while others prefer smaller, humanmade containers. Following a period of heavy rain, water can collect in old tires, clogged gutters, rain barrels, birdbaths, catch basins, tree cavities and other objects around homes. It’s important to empty these water sources to reduce mosquito populations around the home.

The mosquito life cycle also helps explain why populations can appear to increase rapidly after a major rain event. Female mosquitoes can lay as many as 400 eggs after having a blood meal. Depending on the species and environmental conditions, eggs can hatch in less than three days. The larvae, commonly called “wrigglers,” take roughly 7-10 days to develop into pupae. After an additional 2-3 days, the next round of adult mosquitoes emerges. The water remaining after all of the August storms will produce many new generations of mosquitoes in a relatively short period of time. You may have already noticed an influx in these pesky insects!

The increase in mosquitoes is not just an outdoor annoyance. Several mosquito-borne viruses are concerns for Hoosiers, including West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, La Crosse fever, Eastern equine encephalitis and Western equine encephalitis. Wild birds can serve as reservoirs for some of these viruses. Mosquitoes feeding on infected birds may subsequently transmit viruses when they feed on other animals or people. The Indiana Board of Health monitors for vector borne diseases, and has identified mosquito pools that are positive for West Nile Virus across the state.

For Indiana residents dealing with the aftermath of heavy August rainfall, reducing standing water around homes is an important first step. Removing or disposing of objects that collect water, regularly changing water in birdbaths and unused wading pools, keeping rain gutters unclogged, draining stagnant pools and puddles, and covering stored water such as rain barrels and cisterns are all great preventative measures around your home. Eliminating these breeding sites interrupts the mosquito life cycle before adults emerge.

Homeowners can also reduce exposure to adult mosquitoes. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, particularly during periods of high mosquito activity, can greatly reduce the chance of mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are often most active around dawn and dusk, so limiting outdoor exposure during those periods or staying in screened areas can reduce the chance of being bitten. EPA-registered mosquito repellents can provide additional protection.

As Indiana moves beyond August, mosquito numbers may remain elevated wherever standing water persists. Removing that water, improving drainage and protecting against bites can help Hoosiers reduce mosquito populations and limit their potential impact on people and animals.

Resources:
Indiana Department of Health
Mosquitoes, Purdue Extension Entomology
Mosquitoes In and Around the Home, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Community-Wide Mosquito Management, Purdue Extension – Entomology
Mosquitoes, Ticks and Other Arthropods, CDC Yellow Book, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mosquitoes and ticks – little pests carry big risks – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Mosquitoes carrying Zika virus can be controlled and avoided – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Field Season Upon Us! Be Prepared – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Excess Rain and Pond Integrity – Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Health & Wellness Lessons, The Nature of Teaching
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel

Tabatha (Tabby) Flinn, Senior Regional Educator
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Purdue Extension

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Explore the latest newsletter updates on the Indiana Woodland Steward website. Stay up-to-date with forestry news and receive their free e-newsletter by subscribing at IWS Subscribe.

Highlights from the new Newsletter include:

• Ticks in Indiana Woodlands: Identification, Risk Reduction, and Prevention
  By Lee Green
  “Indiana’s forests, woodlots, and edge habitats support a diverse tick fauna that matters to both human and animal health. As reforestation has increased and wildlife hosts, especially white‑tailed deer, have…”
• How Emerging Digital Forestry Technologies Can Support Indiana Landowners
  By Erica Kronenberger and Zhao Ma
  Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
  “Indiana is home to more than 4.8 million acres of forestland, of which 4.6 million acres are timberland, and this amount increases every year1. Eighty four percent of Indiana’s forests is…”
• Prescribed Burn Associations: Neighbors Helping Neighbors Bring Fire Back to Indiana’s Landscape
  By Danielle Howard
  “Indiana’s ecosystems are shaped by fire. And to help them thrive, we need to bring fire back. But how do we re-ignite…”
• Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima
  By Lenny Farlee, Ron Rathfon, Don Carlson, Brian Beheler
  “Tree-of-heaven (ToH), also known as Chinese sumac, varnish tree, or stink tree, is a large, rapidly-growing deciduous tree native to parts of China. Tree-of-heaven was introduced …”
• Days Gone By Volumn 35 Number 2
  Constructing a corn crib from native hardwoods on Mr. Herbert C. Thomas’ property in Vermillion County (photos by Roy C. Brundage, undated).

The Indiana Woodland Steward Newsletter is a resource offering a wealth of valuable information for foresters, woodland owners, timber marketing specialists, woodland and wildlife enthusiasts. The Indiana Woodland Steward Institute (IWS) is an entity made from 11 organizations within the state including Purdue University, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association (IHLA), that works to promote best usage practices of Indiana’s woodland resources through their Woodland Steward publication.

Resources
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE) website
Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment – Wildlife Responses to Timber Harvesting, Purdue Extension
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store
Managing Your Woods for White-Tailed Deer, The Education Store
Shrubs and Woody Vines of Indiana and the Midwest, Purdue University Press
Virtual Tour Brings Forest Management for Birds to Life, Got Nature? Blog Post, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
Breeding Birds and Forest Management: the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment and the Central Hardwoods Region, The Education Store
Deer Impact Toolbox, Purdue Extension
Grassland Management Series, Purdue Extension Pond and Wildlife Management
Birdfeeder tips, The National Audubon Society
Explore the Rich World of Oaks with Purdue FNR Extension & Partners, Purdue Extension – FNR
Managing Woodlands for Birds Video, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
Subscribe: Deer, Forest Management, ID That Tree, Woodland Management Moment, Invasive Species and many other topic video playlists Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel

Dan McGuckin, President
Indiana Woodland Steward

Dr. Brian MacGowan, Extension Wildlife Specialist
Department of Forestry & Natural Resources, Purdue University

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