We are delighted to announce that the partnership between the Marian College EcoLab and AWB Audubon is maturing to involve all of our members. This partnership will provide a focus for the conservation efforts, environmental education activities, citizen science, and outdoor enjoyment of our members.
The Marian College EcoLab is 60 acres of wetland and lowland forest on Marian's campus that is being used as an ecological laboratory for Marian College students as well as K-12 school groups, Audubon members, and the local community. A large portion of the EcoLab is part of the former estate of James A. Allison, Indy 500 founder, and was designed in 1912 by famous landscape architect and conservationist, Jens Jensen. Not only is this the best-preserved Jensen landscape in Indiana, it is also in great environmental shape! See http://wetland.marian.edu.
High quality green space and natural habitats are rare in Indianapolis. Over 85% of wetlands in Indiana have been destroyed and the wetland habitat in major cities is almost non-existent. For this reason and others, the Ecolab is a true jewel. The EcoLab trails are in, honeysuckle (a non-native shrub) has been removed (thanks, in part, to a $25,000 donation by AWB Audubon), lots of re-vegetation work has been done, but there is still a lot left to do and learn about the property.
Conservation Activities
Exotic species management: Because the EcoLab is in the center of a highly developed area there are seed sources for non-native plants all around and we need to be in constant battle with the invaders of the EcoLab: honeysuckle, oriental bittersweet, buckthorn, multiflora rose, privet, garlic mustard, and others. The problem with these non-native plants is that they take habitat away from the native Indiana species. Honeysuckle, for example, is a shrub that grows to about 15 ft. and takes over woodland areas in the Midwest. None of the beautiful Indiana wildflowers that we all love will grow underneath it.
Environmental Education Activities
A major emphasis of the EcoLab and the AWB Audubon is environmental education. We believe that the more people know about their natural heritage, the more interested they will be in preserving it. Your help is needed!
K-12 group helpers
Volunteers are needed to develop lesson plans, find willing school groups, and/or help lead K-12 groups in environmental education field trips in the EcoLab. Learn to be "docents" of the EcoLab! Call Dave Benson, 955-6028 or email him if interested.
Bird walk leaders
AWB Audubon would like to offer a weekly (Saturday at 9 a.m.) bird walk through the EcoLab and are looking for volunteers who can lead that activity. Call Dave Benson, 955-6028 or email him if interested.
Citizen Science
Several research projects are on-going in the EcoLab. More baseline data is needed on animal and plant populations found in the area. Below is a bird survey opportunity, but we would love help from plant (and any other group of organism) experts as well to help us discover and quantify "what's out there?"
Walking bird survey: Volunteers are needed to will follow a prescribed route through the EcoLab and record bird observations following a distance-based survey method. They will be able to do this any day at any time. They will be asked to send the data to a designated compiler. With these data we will be able to assess the changing bird use of the area as the EcoLab evolves. Individuals can begin any time. Call Dave Benson, 955-6028 or email him for instructions. Novice-advanced birders welcome.
National Audubon Society and AWBAS Chapter supporters and members: Did you know that you can help us save money, time and trees by becoming a part of our electronic database? By choosing to recieve updates and news via E-mail, you will not only help us to significantly reduce our postage costs but you enable AWBAS to focus more of our resources towards mission-critical tasks and services. -- click here to send your email address to our Membership Chair in order to receive your newsletters and other important updates via E-mail.
Upcoming Events
AWBAS upcoming eventsNovember 13, Tuesday Lecture: The Birds of South Africa
Speaker: Steve Nawrocki, Professor of Biology and Anthropology at the University of Indianapolis
As so many birds have left Indiana for the winter, many birders think about going to other locales to bird. Join Steve Nawrocki at Holliday Park to learn about his nature experiences in a place few of us will get a chance to visit, South Africa. During two recent trips to South Africa he saw about 200 bird species along with many mammals and reptiles, many of which he photographed. His slideshow will focus on the birds of 3 broad ecological zones (thornvelt, high-altitude grassvelt, and marshland) in the northeastern part of the country, including Kruger National Park and the famous Marievale Bird Sanctuary. Break away from Indiana for the night and join us on bird safari.
December 11, Tuesday Lecture: Song-Catcher — Memorable Experiences of a Professional Birdsong Recorder
Speaker: Geoff Keller, Master Song Recorder
It's always a good time to review bird songs and calls while sitting by the fire. Some of the recordings you listen to may have been recorded by our speaker, Geoff Keller, who has recently moved to Nashville, Indiana. Geoff started recording bird songs in 1983 and has worked closely with Cornell University's Laboratory of Ornithology. He has archived almost 3,000 North American bird song recordings with Cornell and has traveled to all the great birding sites from the Florida Keys to Nome, from southern Mexico to Churchill. He is currently working on Bird Songs of the Pacific Northwest. His program will feature some his most memorable recording experiences, such as the Five-striped Sparrow in Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, Mangrove Cuckoo in Sugarloaf Key, Florida, Red-throated Pipit in Nome, Alaska, and Buff-colored Nightjar in the Santa Rita grasslands of Arizona, among others. If you think about how much we depend on the skill of people like Geoff, you will not want to miss his talk on a special Thursday date of December 13.
January 8, Tuesday Lecture: Fall Migrations and Winter Habitats of the Reclusive Northern Saw-whet Owl
Speaker: Ross Brittain, Ph.D. Candidate in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, Bloomington
In 2002, Ross created and continues to coordinate the first study of Northern Saw-whet Owl migration patterns in southern Indiana. He has also surveyed overwintering populations of Saw-whet Owls to assess their habitat use. He is a Master Bird Bander and Wetland Community Ecologist. Ross is currently working on a Ph.D. in Environmental Affairs, studying avian trophic ecology using stable isotopes, and the potential long-term effects of sea level rise and standard management practices on coastal Georgia avifauna. His project is funded by a Graduate Research Fellowship from NOAA and is conducted at the National Estuarine Research Reserve on Sapelo Island, Georgia. The Northern Saw-whet Owls are thinking about starting a family right about now - you should find out what they are up to! Get the New Year started right by joining us at Holliday Park.
February 12, Tuesday Lecture: The Importance of Indiana's Reclaimed Strip Mines for Grassland Birds
Speaker: Peter Scott, Associate Professor of Ecology and Organismal Biology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute
March 11, Tuesday Lecture: Use of Isolated Wood Lots by Migratory Birds
Speaker: Diane Packett
Diane has been studying how our migrant birds use isolated wood lots. She will update us on her research, which has been supported by funds from the AWBAS Birdathon.
We are delighted to announce that the partnership between the Marian College EcoLab and AWB Audubon is maturing to involve all of our members. This partnership will provide a focus for the conservation efforts, environmental education activities, citizen science, and outdoor enjoyment of our members.