Vermillion County
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Phillip Cox is the Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator in Vermillion County. He is on the Indiana Small Farm Conference team and has served on the Trade Show subcommittee for the past several years. He also coordinates programming that includes such topics as pesticide safety, native plants, invasive species, gardening, natural resources, farming, wildlife management, and forestry.
Contact Us
Purdue Extension
Extension Educator - Vermillion County
cox119@purdue.edu
765-492-5330
October Big (Bird) Count Day – October 12, 9 – Noon 
FREE Ouabache Land Conservancy Immediate Past President, Marty Jones, will lead a bird count hosted by Indiana Audubon Society and Indiana Land Protection Alliance at Atherton Island Natural Area (in southwestern Parke County). All bird identification skill levels are welcome. For more information and to register see: obd2024.eventbrite.com
Turkey Run State Park Weed Wrangle (Volunteer) – October 12 
FREE The Wabash River Invasives Project invites everyone to the Turkey Run State Park Weed Wrangle. For details contact Steven McGhee at 765-562-3856 or vp_resourcetech@iaswcd.org .
Wabash Valley Audubon Society October Program - Light, the Unseen Pollution (4:30-5:30 pm) & Sky Gazing on the Prairie (7:30-9:00 pm) – October 16th
After the presentation, members of the Indiana Astronomical Society and Wabash Valley Astronomical Society will be setting up their telescopes to view the Moon and other night sky objects visible that evening. This program is weather-dependent. This is a free family-friendly event (no pre-registration is required) and will be held at Atherton Island Natural Area, with parking available at 6540 W. CR 800 S., Rosedale, IN (near Lyford, about 0.7 miles east of Hwy 41). Please bring a chair, as we will be in the prairie area. All members and non-members are invited to this free program. The Wabash Valley Audubon Society serves Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties. To learn more about the Wabash Valley Audubon Society like their Facebook page or visit their website at www.wabashvalleyaudubonsociety.org.
Everyone is invited to attend both or either of the above programs!
Fall Foliage Hike at John O. Whitaker Woods Nature Preserve, October 19, 10:00 - 11:30 am
FREE Join Ouabache Land Conservancy Advisory Board member Dr. Peter Scott (professor emeritus Indiana State University) as he leads the way through this 43-acre woodland that Dr. John O. Whitaker Jr. donated in 2021. The preserve boasts more than 2,250 trees of 34 different species. The most abundant species are Tulip Tree, Red Hickory, Red Oak, Shagbark Hickory, White Oak, Red Maple, and American Sycamore. The preserve is at 3801 W County Road 950 N, Brazil, IN 47834. No reservations are needed for this easy hike.
Cayuga Park Fall Foliage Hike, October 22, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
FREE Everyone is invited to a free fall foliage walk at Cayuga Park, home of the Vermillion County Fairgrounds, on Tuesday, October 22, 5:30 – 7:00 pm starting at the 4-H Community Bldg., Fairgrounds Rd., Cayuga, IN. Purdue Extension Educator, Phil Cox, will lead the walk while teaching participants how to identify the diverse species of trees in this beautiful park. In addition, up to 20 copies of the 2024 edition of “101 Trees of Indiana: A Field Guide” (by Dr. Marion Jackson) will be given away randomly to those who pre-register by October 21. You must be present to win a field guide. Pre-register by contacting the Purdue Extension-Vermillion County Office at 765-492-5330 or cox119@purdue.edu. In case of rain, an alternative tree identification event will be held inside the 4-H Community Bldg. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.
Prairie Seed Harvest at Atherton Island Natural Area, October 26, 9 - Noon
FREE Join Dr. Jim Nardi to harvest seeds from three species of grasses and about 40 species of wildflowers growing in the 4-acre prairie restoration at Ouabache Land Conservancy’s Atherton Island Natural Area. He will provide information on identifying plants and explain how the seed harvest will be prepared for winter or spring planting. Atherton Island Natural Area is at 6540 W County Road 800 S., Rosedale, IN 47874 (near Lyford, about 0.7 miles east of Hwy 41). No reservations are required.
Halloween Night Hike & Campfire at John O. Whitaker Woods Nature Preserve, October 26, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
FREE Join us for a candle-lit Halloween Night Hike & Campfire at Ouabache Land Conservancy’s Whitaker Woods Nature Preserve. Costumes are welcome at this free, all-ages easy hike through the woods. Afterward, enjoy a campfire and s’mores. Please bring lawn chairs and flashlights. Questions? Contact OLC Advisory Board Member, Denise Sobieski, at bill.denise.home@gmail.com .
Whitaker Woods Nature Preserve is at 3801 W. County Rd. 950 N., Brazil, IN 47834. No reservations are needed.
Grand Opening for Atherton Island Natural Area, October 27, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
FREE The Ouabache Land Conservancy (OLC) is excited to invite you to the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Atherton Island Natural Area on Sunday, October 27th at 1 p.m. The preserve is located at 6540 W. County Road 800 S., Rosedale, IN 47874 (located 0.7 (seven tenths) miles east of Lyford and US 41). We hope you can join us!
Background: Over the last 31 years, four parcels of land were acquired for the preservation and restoration of this wild landscape with generous private donations and funding from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Farm Service Agency. This 250-acre nature preserve is now protected forever! Join the members of the Ouabache Land Conservancy and the Parke County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the Grand Opening! Please RSVP by October 25th to ouabachelandconservancy@gmail.com
After the ribbon cutting, OLC will be leading optional hikes of the property to the new bridges and more! Wear your hiking shoes if you are interested!
Fall Foliage Hike at Jackson-Schnyder Nature Preserve, November 2, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
FREE This hike is to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Jackson-Schnyder Nature Preserve’s dedication as a State nature preserve. Rich Hull, a PhD candidate at Indiana University, will share about the preserve's flora (at least 140 species documented by Hull) as he leads hikers through the tallgrass prairie and approximately 25 species of trees found on the preserve.
Ouabache Land Conservancy’s Jackson Schnyder Nature Preserve is at 3635 W. Concannon Ave., West Terre Haute, IN 47885. No reservations are needed for this moderate hike.