Category Archives: Nature

Shirley Heinze Fall Bird Count
Shirley Heinze Land Trust Bird Count with Indiana Audubon Society Brad Bumgardner at Walner Nature Preserve in Chesterton By Terry Bonace A group of skilled birders spread out to visit sixteen Shirley Heinze Land Trust nature preserves throughout Northwest Indiana. From Lake County to St. Joseph County, they were out looking for…

New Pavilion at Lydick Bog Nature Preserve, South Bend
News / By Barb Labus Shirley Heinze Land Trust announces the completion of a new multipurpose pavilion at Lydick Bog Nature Preserve, located at 25898 US 20, in South Bend, Indiana. The 56’ x 26’ open-air structure features a steel roof and a concrete floor. It will be used for various programming activities…

Items You Didn’t Know You Should Recycle
We all want to help out our planet and we all know it needs to be done. In addition to using your car less, turning your lights off, and reusing plastic, there are plenty of things that we know to recycle rather than waste in a garbage can. Anything we can do to keep landfills…

Endangered Species Found In Cedar Lake Indiana
On July 2nd, 2020 Humane Indiana Wildlife received a call about two young chicks found in a window well in Cedar Lake, IN. Upon further communication with the two teens who found the chicks, it was determined the chicks were actually Virginia Rails, an endangered species in the state of Indiana. “When the finders…

New Paved Trails at Friendship Gardens
Over 2,900 feet of trails at Friendship Botanic Gardens were paved during the week of June 15th, 2020, which was made possible by a grant provided by the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte. The goal was to provide more access to people that require mobility assistance, such as wheelchairs and walkers. The natural green…

A Close Encounter with Nature
Ogden Gardens is a local treasure that is often overlooked. It is a quick and close encounter with Nature because it is located in the heart of the Valparaiso business district with a very close easy access parking area. For local residents it’s an easy bike ride or walk. Odgen Gardens is on…

Hike The Secret Moraine Nature Preserve
by Andie Renner-Miller We did this hike back when it was snow covered as it was listed as a good hike to do in the snow. This preserve was a good reminder that it doesn’t need to be warm out to take a good hike. We found only one area that may be difficult…

Friendship Botanic Gardens to Open May 1st
Friendship Botanic Gardens will open to the public beginning this Friday, May 1st. The Gardens will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily admission (Tuesday-Sunday) is $9; seniors, $7; however, on Thursdays, admission to the Gardens is $5 for everyone. Children 12 and under are free everyday; active…

Friendship Botanic Gardens Remains Open To Members Only
During these uncertain times and caution of COVID-19, community members are still able to take advantage of the membership benefits at Friendship Botanic Gardens while still following the social distancing guidelines. Being in nature is good for the mind, body and spirit. While there may be uncertainty in the world right…

The Greenhouse of East Chicago
Visit East Chicago’s Greenhouse and step into one of the city’s hidden treasures. Come and experience the tranquility and oxygen rich air that only the greenhouse can offer. Here you will find rooms filled with various tropical plants and fruit trees. The greenhouse is open year round and admission is free. …