Welcome to the Dark Side: Mothing in Indiana – July 17^th

Often unseen, moths are viewed as the drab-dingy-looking cousins of butterflies. With over 2,500 species recorded in the state, nothing could be further from the truth! To learn more about Indiana’s moths, Purdue Extension is hosting Indiana moth-er, Jeanette Jaskula, as she presents “Welcome to the Dark Side: Mothing in Indiana” to show the stunning diversity of moths, their importance in terrestrial ecosystems, and how we can sustain and support them in our backyards with native plants.  The program will be at the Clinton Public Library on July 17^th at 2:00 pm.  In addition, Purdue Extension will be providing 10 different species of native plants (while supplies last) that support native pollinator populations for participants to plant in their home landscapes.

 Jeanette has a master's degree in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. She has studied a variety of taxa from salamanders to birds to bats. For the past several years, moths have been her passion. As president of Friends of the Sands, Jeanette has developed public mothing programs at The Nature Conservancy's Kankakee Sands prairie restoration in Newton County. She has photographed over 1,300 species of moths in Indiana. Jeanette enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for these rather unknown and under-appreciated creatures of the night.

 This is a free program and no preregistration is required.  Questions? Contact the Purdue Extension — Vermillion Co. Office at 765-492-5330 or cox119@purdue.edu   

 Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.  Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.

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Volunteers Needed at the Lusk Heritage Kitchen Garden, Turkey Run State Park

Contact Mary Sullivan (sullivanm50@protonmail.com) or Brooke Meschen (meschen5@gmail.com) for more information about dates/times.

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Planting Herbs, June 13^th, 6:00 pm

FREE Purdue Extension Parke County and the Rockville Rotary are excited to invite you to this fourth in a monthly series of Community Garden Lessons at the Parke County Community Garden (413 S. Hwy 41, Rockville, IN (about one mile south of the junction Highways 41 & 36)).  Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come.

For more details and future lessons see the attached flier.

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ReportINvasive Summer Virtual Series starts June 20^th

Join Purdue U. Exotic Forest Pest Educator, Bob Bruner, via Zoom at the ReportINvasive Summer Series that starts on June 20^th.   

If you want to register for any program, just visit https://ag.purdue.edu/reportinvasive/programs/ .  Once you click on the “Register” button for a program, you’ll be sent to the registration form.  Once you submit your registration, you will receive an email with the Zoom link immediately (please check the spelling of your email address).  Then, the day of the webinar, just open the Zoom link at 6:00 pm EST. 

 All programs start at 6pm EST

June 20^th – Hammerhead Worm: Yes, It’s Still Alive

July 11^th – A Close Look at Oak Wilt

July 25^th – Asian Bush Honeysuckle: 2024 Update

August 8^th – The Impact of Chestnut Blight

August 22^nd – Emerald Ash Borer: Is Ash Protection Worth It?

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Monarch Butterflies – July 2nd

As part of the Clinton Public Library’s (313 S. 4^th St., Clinton, IN) Summer Reading Program, Brenda Alabaugh will share about the magnificent metamorphosis of Monarch Butterflies on July 2^nd at 2:00 pm.  Join Brenda as she shares about the awe-inspiring journey these graceful creatures undertake throughout their remarkable life cycle.  For more Summer Reading Events the youth in your life (or you!) might enjoy please see the attachment.

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 Purdue Fruit & Vegetable Field Day  July 18^th

Purdue Extension is presenting its annual Fruit and Vegetable Field Day on July 18^th at the Throckmorton/Meigs Horticulture Farm, Lafayette, IN.  Register at: https://am.ticketmaster.com/purdue/fvfield

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Jackson-Schnyder Tallgrass Prairie Hike – July 20^th

Everyone is invited to a tallgrass prairie hike at the Jackson-Schnyder Nature Preserve, west of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, on Saturday, July 20 from 10:00 to 11:30 am.  Phil Cox, Purdue University Extension Educator, and Dr. Jim Nardi, University of Illinois Research Entomologist (retired), will lead hikers on the Julius Trail around the 4-acre tallgrass prairie identifying the native and invasive flora, pollinators, and other insects of the prairie along the way.  Ten species of native grasses and sedges, including Big and Little Bluestem, Indian Grass, and Prairie Dropseed; and 38 species of native forbs including Wild Quinine, Dense Blazing Star, Mountain Mint, Wild Senna, Compass Plant, Culver's Root, White False Indigo, and Rattlesnake Master were drilled into this former soybean field in June 2009.  In addition, Cox will discuss recommended Indiana-native plants for attracting pollinators.  The preserve is located at 3635 W. Concannon Ave., West Terre Haute, IN 47885. To get to the Jackson-Schnyder Nature Preserve, take Hwy 150 to St. Mary’s Ave and turn west, drive past the St. Mary-of-the-Woods College main entrance, continue west and turn left on Bloomtown Road, go under the railroad and turn right on Concannon Ave. and just past the bridge is the roadside entrance (on the right) to the Preserve. No reservations are required for this easy, free family-friendly hike.  Please follow OLC on Facebook or email ouabachelandconservancy@gmail.com for more information.

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Monarch Butterflies – July 23^rd

The Parke-Vermillion Master Gardener Association will host Monarch butterfly hobbyist and Purdue Extension Master Gardener, Brenda Alabaugh on Tuesday, July 23^rd at 5:30 pm at the Parke County Extension Office (1472 N US Highway 41, Rockville, IN).  Brenda will share her passion about raising Monarch butterflies from eggs to butterflies then releasing them to increase their population.  Her experience has taught her many things and given her an appreciation of the delicate life cycle of the Monarch. She will discuss her experiences and how to aid Monarch survival by planting nectar and host plants in your home landscape.  Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.  Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.

Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day - July 25^th

Purdue Extension is presenting its annual Small Farm Education Field Day on July 25^th at the Purdue Student Farm, West Lafayette, IN.  Register at: https://am.ticketmaster.com/purdue/smfarm