Sycamore Trails Resource Conservation
and Development Council, Inc.
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Sycamore Trails Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc.
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Pond Management Workshop Saturday, April 26, 2008 at Izaak Walton Lake near Clay/Vigo county linePond owners received some expert advice on how to best care for their pond on Saturday, April 26, 2008. Twenty-nine people gathered at the Izaak Walton Lake on the west edge of Clay County to get their pond weeds identified, learn about weed control, fish stocking, and pond habitat management. Presenters were Debbie King of the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife and Mark Evans of Purdue Cooperative Extension. Chapter 200 of the Izaak Walton league hosted the event and provided refreshments. Debbie King, assisted by Sandy Clark-Kolaks of IDNR, also provided a “fish shocking” demonstration, where the fish in the pond are temporarily stunned and collected to assess the health and diversity of fish inhabiting the pond. The participants also received a folder of information to take home. Mark Evans stated “We always have new folks coming to these pond field days each year. There is a continuing need for information on how to manage a pond.” The field day was sponsored by Purdue Extension of Clay County, Clay County Soil & Water Conservation District, the Izaak Walton League-Chapter 200, and the Education Committee of Sycamore Trails Resource Conservation and Development Council. If you would like more information on Sycamore Trails or would like to attend future pond workshops or other natural resource workshops and field days, contact the office.
Debbie King (right) and Sandy Clark-Kolaks of IDNR Division of Fish &Wildlife identify fish species in Izaak Walton Lake during pond workshop. Photo by Mark Evans
--------------------------- Indiana Master Naturalist Program GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE MASTER NATURALIST PROGRAM Sycamore Trails and other Indiana RC&D Councils teamed up with Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, County Soil & Water Conservation Districts, and Indiana Department of Natural Resources several years ago to establish the Indiana Master Naturalist Program. A statewide advisory council has been set up and guidelines established. Participants attend training sessions on a variety of topics relating to our natural world here in Indiana. After completing the class sessions, an exam is given which must be passed, and a community service requirement must be met in order to receive a certificate of "Master Naturalist". A website with more information on the state-wide program and a listing of upcoming classes around Indiana is available at www.indianamasternaturalist.org - check it out! Our Education Committee has plans to offer a class in 2007. If you are interested, contact our office --------------------------- Boofo Newsletters 
Each
year this committee distributes three issues of a children’s natural resource newsletter
to all fifth grade students in our nine-county area. Boofo the Toad is their
guide to environmental information.
(Boofo's name is derived from the scientific name for the American Toad, "Bufo
americanus") One issue covers information on soil
and water conservation and is distributed around Earth Day in April. An issue on
forestry topics is distributed in conjunction with Arbor Day in April. The Fall
issue is on wildlife. These are distributed to the public, private,
and home schools in our area at no charge, with assistance from the local Soil and Water
Conservation Districts. The cost of printing the newsletters is sponsored
by various organizations. If your organization is interested in
contributing to this opportunity to educate youth on conservation, or if you are
interested in obtaining this resource for home schoolers,
contact
us!
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