Get your feet wet and explore what lives in, on and around Otter Creek at Experience Otter Creek on May 6, 2023 from 9 am to 12 pm at Markle Mill Park. Get up close and personal with Otter Creek and the Indiana State University Earth and Environmental Systems to discuss mussels, crayfish, and lead testing. View fish living in Otter Creek collected via electroshocking demonstrations from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management Watershed Assessment and Planning Branch.  Learn how to ID birds with the Wabash Valley Audubon Society. Get familiar with wildlife habitat needs with the Wild Turkey Federation. Connect with Ouabache Land Conservancy and learn about their conservation efforts, as well as, get free tree seedlings as follows (while supplies last): Oaks: White, Black, Shingle, Chestnut, Swamp White, Shumard, Pin, Overcup; Shagbark Hickory and Pecan.  Learn about garden fertility with Ceres Solutions, with soil testing info provided by PHISH (People Helping Improve Soil Health), and explore invasive bugs and worms with the Purdue University Entomology Department. Dobbs Park staff will be debunking bat myths, and Vigo County Parks & Recreation Department will be sharing more information about their various parks and upcoming grants. Visit with Purdue Extension and Vigo County Soil and Water Conservation District and connect with their water quality and pollinator efforts. The Natural Resources Conservation Service will also be on site performing soil health demonstrations. Vigo Invasives Management and riverSCAPE will also be at the event discussing invasive species, mussels and their conservation efforts.  Otter Creek Project Coordinator, Sara Peel says “We hope to connect local residents with Otter Creek and the things that live within its drainage at Experience Otter Creek. Our goal is to allow people to drop in as their schedule allows. They can talk with those groups that are of interest to them while trying their hand at birding or tree identification, play with stream and land-based insects, learn how state biologists assess our streams and view the fish they collect and more.”  The Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission and the Indiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy are sponsors of this event.

This free, family friendly event will have free popcorn, hot dogs, drinks, a bounce house, and accordion and violin entertainment provided by Polka Pop Balloon Stop.  If you are interested in participating in this exciting event, have questions about attending or would like to learn more, contact Sara at ottercreekwatershed@gmail.com.

OLC serves the west-central Indiana counties of Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo. For more information, to donate or join, please visit: www.ouabachelandconservancy.org, follow OLC on Facebook, or email ouabachelandconservancy@gmail.com.