Explore the beauty of the Indiana Dunes Region and support the Heinze Trust in working to preserve natural lands in Northwest Indiana.
We are offering five hikes this year. In addition, we will conduct a free community hike and our annual free donor appreciation hike and luncheon. (Details for the free hikes will be published at a later date.) Each hike is an exciting and interesting destination led by outstanding guides.
Bendix Woods County Park
New Carlisle, Indiana
- Saturday, April 25, 2009
- 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT (9-11:30 CT)
Bendix Woods of St. Joseph County Parks was once owned by the Studebaker Corporation and its Nature Center is in the 1926 Studebaker Clubhouse. Botanist Scott Namestnik of JFNew leads us on our hike through old-growth beech-maple forest, on which we should see ephemeral marvels including wild ginger, purple spring cress, blue cohosh, toothwort, squirrel corn, Dutchman’s breeches, yellow trout lily, false mermaid, wild geranium, blue phlox, bloodroot, large-flowered trillium, red trillium, Canada violet, and possibly the locally rare crinkleroot, in addition to many others. There is a $4.00 vehicle fee for out of county cars and $3.00 for St. Joseph County vehicles to enter Bendix Woods County Park. Limit: 20 people
Wetland Restoration at Cowles Bog
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
- Saturday, May 23, 2009
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Paul Labus, Regional Director for TNC, will take us on an off-trail tour of Cowles Bog and its ongoing wetland restoration. We will leave the boardwalk and see portions of this wetland habitat not normally seen by the public. We will visit portions of Cowles Bog experienced by Cowles' students and early twentieth century botanical explorers. Dan will also tell us the history of Cowles Bog and discuss the wetland restoration currently taking place and future restoration plans in development. Expect wet feet and difficult walking. Limit: 12 people
Nocturnal Insects and Moths
Ambler Flatwoods
- Saturday, August 22, 2009
- 8:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Entomologist Jim Bess will use black lights to attract nocturnal insects. Let's see what comes out after dark at SHLT's largest nature preserve. Limit: 20 people
Mushrooms
Cowles Bog
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
- Saturday, August 29, 2009
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
There are over 1,000 species of mushrooms reported from the greater Chicago region, many of them in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Join Greg Mueller, mycologist and Vice President for Science and Academic Programs at the Chicago Botanic Garden, and research associate at the Field Museum of Chicago, on a mushroom hunt in the varied habitat along the Cowles Bog trail. Limit: 15 people
Conrad Savanna
Newton County
- Saturday, September 12, 2009
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tom Post of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will lead us through this Indiana Nature Preserve. Conrad Savanna features globally rare black oak savanna and sand dunes and is part of the large, contiguous collection of preserves of the Kankakee Sands region found along the Kankakee River in both Indiana and Illinois. Tom's hike will highlight techniques used in savanna restoration. Limit: 20 people
General Hike Information
Unless otherwise indicated, all hikes have a maximum of 20 participants (in addition to hike leaders); this allows all to see special features close up. Hikes are conducted rain or shine, except during thunderstorms. Times noted are hiking times and do not include meeting and driving time. We advise hikers to bring drinking water, binoculars and/or hand lenses, to be prepared for sun (or rain) and insects, and to wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can handle muddy going and very wet ground. Participants will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis. If your check is not returned, you have been enrolled. Directions and meeting locations will be mailed to participants one week before each hike. SEND YOUR CHECK AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRST HIKE YOU PLAN TO ATTEND!
The hikes are $40.00 per person, and sign up is required. Unless otherwise noted, group size is limited to 20. If you would like to register, please print up the brochure below, fill out the appropriate portion, and return it to our office. If have questions, feel free to contact the SHLT office at (219) 879-4725 or by e-mail at land@heinzetrust.org.