As a reservoir property, Monroe Lake has an active wildlife management program, but one that exists largely behind the scenes. On Saturday, October 3, a Hands-on Habitat day will offer visitors a chance to directly participate in and learn about this hidden side of the reservoir.
Volunteers with an interest in waterfowl hunting are invited to help clean, repair, and cut brush to camouflage the blinds in Monroe Lake’s Stillwater-Northfork wildlife area, beginning at 9 a.m. Youth volunteers (including scout groups) are welcome, if accompanied by an adult. Details are at http://bit.ly/camouduck2020.
From 12 to 1 p.m., you can stop by the new pollinator garden space next to the Activity Center at Paynetown State Recreation Area to learn why native plants are valuable for pollinators. Visitors can make a couple of mini “seed bombs” to toss into their own garden at home.
A guided hike through the field areas at Fairfax State Recreation Area at 3 p.m. will introduce people to how this area is managed for wildlife. This hike is limited to 15 people and advance registration is required by Oct. 1. More details and registration is at http://bit.ly/fairfaxhike2020.
Volunteers are needed for a nest box build at Fairfax SRA at 6 p.m. The nest boxes will be used at the reservoir to support wild bird populations. Advance signup is required by Oct. 1 at http://bit.ly/nestbox2020 and will be limited to 10 people.
Campers at Paynetown SRA should watch for a naturalist walking through the Campground in the evening. She’ll be pulling a wagon with live tree saplings to highlight how tree plantings are used in wildlife management. A limited number of seed packets will be distributed.
Property admission to Paynetown (4850 S. State Road 446) and Fairfax SRA (9301 S. Fairfax Road) is $7 per vehicle, with Indiana license plates ($9 per vehicle with out-of-state plates). For reciprocal admission on the same day only, show your receipt from one SRA for admission to the other. Indiana State Park Annual Entrance Permits are also accepted at both locations. There is no fee at Stillwater-Northfork (intersection of Kent and McGowan Roads) and the fee for Fairfax SRA will be waived for those entering only for the nest box build.
Questions should be directed to Jill Vance, Interpretive Naturalist, at the Paynetown Activity Center on Monroe Lake, 812-837-9967 or [email protected].
For more information contact:
Paynetown Activity Center
(812) 837-9967
[email protected]