Purdue Extension ANR

SOIL TESTING AVAILABLE

Soil testing is recommended every 3 – 5 years.  The Purdue Extension Vermillion County Office will take your garden soil samples (they must be dry) for nutrient & pH analysis and send them to a soils lab for fertilizer recommendations for $12.  For $5 more an organic matter analysis will be completed. Soil sample bags, sample forms, and instructions can be picked up at the Office.  For details, call 765-492-5330 or email cox119@purdue.edu .   

Planting Herbs - May 8, 6:00 pm EST

FREE This is the third in a monthly series of Community Garden Lessons at the Parke County Community Garden, 413 S. Hwy 41, Rockville, IN.  For more details and future lessons see the attached flier.

2025 Spring Thyme Plant and Herb Fair, May 10, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm EST
FREE Wabash Valley (Vigo Co.) Fairgrounds, 3901 S US Hwy 41, Terre Haute, IN. For details see the Wabash Valley Herb Society Fb or website or https://www.wabashvalleyherbsociety.com/

Spring Wildflower Hike at John O. Whitaker Woods Nature Preserve, Clay Co., May 10, 10:00 am – 11:30 am EST 

FREE For details see: https://ouabachelandconservancy.org/events

Parke County Chamber of Commerce Networking Lunch with Ouabache Land Conservancy at Bridge 61, May 14, 11:30 – 1:00 pm EST

RSVP required. For details see: https://ouabachelandconservancy.org/events

Experience Otter Creek at Markle Mill Park, May 17, 9 am – Noon EST

FREE The public is invited to explore the wonders of the Otter Creek Watershed at the “Experience Otter Creek” event on May 17th, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Markle Mill Park in

North Terre Haute.  This free event offers an opportunity for all ages to learn about the diverse ecosystem of the Otter Creek Watershed. Attendees can participate in a variety of engaging activities and demonstrations, including learning about electrofishing, wildlife tracks, plastics, reptiles and amphibians, invasive species, trees, beekeeping, aquatic and land insects, bats, birds, backyard gardening, and water health.

This year’s event will feature two new demonstrations:

● 10:00 AM: Providence Wildlife Rehabilitation with Henrietta (the red-tailed hawk) and Stirling (the

great horned owl).

● 11:00 AM: IDEM electrofishing and fish identification.

In addition, there will be a bounce house and free trees will be provided to attendees by Ouabache Land Conservancy.

“Experience Otter Creek” is made possible through the generous support of several partners and sponsors, including Purdue Extension, Purdue University, Vigo County Soil and Water Conservation District, Terre Haute Parks & Recreation Department, Ouabache Land Conservancy, Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), Vigo County Parks & Recreation Department, Vigo Invasives

Management, Wabash Valley Audubon Society, and Indiana State University, and the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission

The event will take place rain or shine, with some activities potentially modified due to inclement weather.

For questions, please contact Sara Peel at (765) 337-9100 or ottercreekwatershed@gmail.com .

Narrows Weed Wrangle at Turkey Run State Park, May 17, 9 am – Noon EST  

FREE See the attached flier for details.

Wabash Valley Audubon Society May Meeting, May 21, 6:30 – 7:30 pm EST

FREE The Wabash Valley Audubon Society will host Indiana Skunk Rescue (ISR) on Wednesday, May 21^st at 6:30 pm at the Dobbs Park Native American Museum, 5170 East Poplar St., Terre Haute.  Indiana Skunk Rescue is the only rescue in the US that can legally help both wild and domesticated skunks.  Julie McLaughlin, ISR Co-Founder, will first share her expertise about both wild and domestic skunks.  Then she will introduce the rescue’s newest ambassador - Julie.  The Indiana Skunk Rescue depends on donations to fulfill their mission and donations will be accepted that evening.  All members and non-members are invited to this free program to learn everything you wanted to know about skunks but were afraid to ask.  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.

Terre Haute Bird Festival at Dobbs Park, May 31, Noon – 5:00 pm EST

FREE See the attached flier for details.

Sugar Creek Float Clean Up, June 4^th

FREE Parke County Soil & Water Conservation District is partnering with Sugar Valley Canoe Trips again in organizing a Canoe float cleanup down Sugar Creek. This event will take place June 4th 2025 at 9am at the Sugar Creek Canoe Trips. This float will be 3 miles long, where volunteers will clean up trash in and alongside the creek!! All canoes and lifejackets will be provided for the volunteers. After the float, Up The Creek BOAT-ique will cater lunch for all those who participated!! Before registering, please read through the attached flyer for important information about this event!! The Registration link is below. REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY

Here is the link for registration:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQdT8ZZb-IkCfYRYTPluw4OxVjykUDGAsMdVibIThqOxOznA/viewform  . If you have any questions, please contact Hanna Garriott. Cell: (219) 210-5963. Email: hanna-garriott@iaswcd.org

National Trails Day Hike at Atherton Island Natural Area, June 7, 10 am – Noon EST

FREE For details see: https://ouabachelandconservancy.org/events

Pest Control – June 12, 6:00 pm EST

FREE This is the fourth in a monthly series of Community Garden Lessons at the Parke County Community Garden, 413 S. Hwy 41, Rockville, IN.  For more details and future lessons see the attached flier.