2019 Educational Hike Series
Explore the beauty of the Calumet Region and beyond and support Shirley Heinze Land Trust in working to preserve natural lands in Northwest Indiana by attending our educational hikes. Attendees are treated to a wealth of knowledge from a variety of expert hike leaders, in groups of 15 or less. Hikes are held at a variety of outstanding nature preserves located across Northwest Indiana, Northeast Illinois and Southwest Michigan.
Saturday, January 19, 2019
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Join Matt Kalwasinski in pursuit of winter waterfowl. You may be surprised by the diversity of aquatic birds that spend the winter in our area. We will visit such locations as Whiting Park/Whihala Beach, Jerorse Park/East Chicago Marina, and the Grand Calumet River for ducks, geese, swans and other birds that may be overwintering. Matt birds extensively in Northwest Indiana and has led birding trips for the Indiana Audubon Society and Shirley Heinze Land Trust.
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Saturday, May 4, 2019
Spring Ephemerals at Trillium Ravine Plant Preserve
9 am - noon (Eastern time)
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Trillium Ravine, a Michigan Nature Association preserve, is a new location for a Shirley Heinze excursion and home to a very diverse community of spring wildflowers, especially trilliums, sedges and ferns, as well as many other native plants. Although there is a very steep ravine on the site, our hike will take place along an established trail on flat ground. Botanist Scott Namestnik with Orbis Environmental Consulting will lead us in an outing to enjoy the beautiful display of plants.
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Saturday, June 22, 2019
Clark and Pine Nature Preserve
9 am - noon (Central time)
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This very special nature preserve, not open to the public, contains globally rare dune and swale topography and the plants and animals that reside there. Expect to encounter some special and beautiful wildflowers but be prepared for wet feet by wearing high waterproof boots or shoes you don’t mind getting soaked. Emily Stork, Regional Ecologist for the Indiana Division of Nature Preserves, and manager for this beautiful preserve, will be our guide.
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Saturday, July 13, 2019
Springfield Fen Nature Preserve
9 am - noon (Central time)
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The Springfield Fen Nature Preserve protects a mesic upland forest natural community and numerous wetland habitats. Of particular interest to this excursion, this nature preserve contains a high quality example of a calcareous wetland known as a prairie fen. It also contains many rare plant and animal species. We have the good fortune to be guided by Regional Ecologist Derek Nimetz from the Indiana Division of Nature Preserves, who knows the preserve intimately. The terrain may be uneven and muddy so you must come prepared for wet feet and hummocky surfaces. Like at Clark and Pine, the best places to see are often the most difficult to walk through.
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Saturday, August 24, 2019
Wild Mushrooms of Northwest Indiana
(Location TBD)
9 am - noon (Central time)
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There are over 1,000 species of mushrooms reported from the greater Chicago region, many of them from Indiana Dunes National Lake Shore. Join mycologist Dr. Greg Mueller on a mushroom hunt in a location in Northwest Indiana to be announced soon. Greg is Chief Scientist and Negaunee Foundation Vice President for Science at the Chicago Botanic Garden and has been studying the fungi of the Indiana Dunes for over 30 years.
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Registration Information
There is a limit of 15 participants for each hike.
There is a registration fee of $25 per person for each hike. This helps to support our mission and make the hike series possible.
Registration and payment must be made in advance. Register and pay online now though eventbrite or call us at 219-242-8558 to pay via phone with a credit card. For more information, email Sarah Barnes at sbarnes@heinzetrust.org.
Participants will receive a reminder via email prior to each hike with directions to the site along with any other instructions.
Hikes are conducted rain or shine, except during thunderstorms.
There is a registration fee of $25 per person for each hike. This helps to support our mission and make the hike series possible.
Registration and payment must be made in advance. Register and pay online now though eventbrite or call us at 219-242-8558 to pay via phone with a credit card. For more information, email Sarah Barnes at sbarnes@heinzetrust.org.
Participants will receive a reminder via email prior to each hike with directions to the site along with any other instructions.
Hikes are conducted rain or shine, except during thunderstorms.
Recommendations for hikers
- Bring drinking water, binoculars and/or hand lenses, and field guides.
- Be prepared for sun (or rain) and insects.
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that can handle muddy going.
- Please be on time. Hikes will begin promptly at the time indicated.