| Badger Barrens Update By Nate Simons The last time we reported on the process of transforming Headachers Farm addition to Badger Barrens from long-abandoned farmland to lupine meadow and black oak barrens, we indicated that the tree felling and mulching had been completed. We are ready to apply herbicide to former lawn and field areas to remove invasive brush and non-native cool-season grasses. Another piece of good news! Of the five grant applications that former Blue Crew member Madeline McQuiston wrote to several local philanthropic organizations, four have been successful. Most recently, we heard from the Olive B. Cole Foundation that they awarded us $10,000 to assist with the project. In all, we have raised $52,500 toward the $93,000 project cost. It is seed collection season. Along with the lupine seed and Ohio spiderwort seed that crew and volunteers collected early this summer, we have collected three species of milkweed (green, whorled, and butterfly), false boneset, and prairie dock. This October we will be focusing volunteer collection efforts on other dryland grass and forb species. And our traditional first-Saturday-in-December prairie planting party will be held at the Headachers Farm addition to Badger Barrens. We will plant about an acre of the area near the rescued barn and future parking area. Please join us as we continue to make more room for wild blue lupine at Badger Barrens! |
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| View from the Crew by Eva Curtis |
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| It’s the season of Monarch migration! Despite the very hot weather we had at the beginning of September, these Monarch caterpillars are persevering! It’s always a joy to see these little guys out in the field. |
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| Here’s a bumble bee pollinating a white turtle head! My favorite part of field work is seeing all of the lovely native species and wildlife. |
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| I got to see my first Massasauga rattlesnake! Good eye, Josh! |
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| Fringed gentian- a gorgeous native flower! |
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| Cattails, cattails, cattails! We are still battling cattails in September. I have seen so many of them, I dream about them! |
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| Check out how smoky this burn was. Burning prairies while they’re still green is extra smoky due to all of the moisture left in the plants! |
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| Photo of the Blue Crew post burn. I had so much fun on my first burn with the crew! |
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| If you couldn’t tell yet… I love plants! It’s always fun to see these pitcher plants out in the field. Did you know we have native carnivorous plants? |
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| Look how tall this Phragmites grass is (Madi for scale)! Walking through this invasive species can be a challenge. |
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| We spent a lot of the last week of September planting native plants along a lakeshore. We encouraged each other every step of the way to plant more than 700 plugs! |
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| Madi found this cute little catfish while digging to find soil during our planting. It was a treat to watch him swim around his little home! |
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| John (left), me-Eva (middle), and Maddie (right) eating lunch with a view! I am SO thankful for being welcomed onto this amazing team with open arms. I have already learned so much, and look forward to the future with the Blue Crew! |
| Upcoming Events |
| October Seed Collections October 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th from 12-4PMIt’s time for our fall native prairie seed harvests! You’ll have the opportunity to learn about native plants and the protected spaces they inhabit. Help us further our mission by collecting seeds from our native plants, that will then be used in our future projects.We’ll meet at the Presbyterian Chapel of the Lakes (2955 W. Orland Rd. Angola, IN 46703) at noon and caravan to the site(s). We have all the tools and supplies. Families and children are welcome! |
Blue Heron Ministries 