Lilly Endowment awards $50 million grant for Indiana State Parks

Lilly Endowment Inc. announced the approval of a $50 million grant to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a variety of enhancements at Indiana State Parks. DNR will use the grant to make several improvements within Prophetstown State Park and to fund upgrades across the state parks system that will improve the experience for Hoosiers who visit these treasured places.

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East Shore Conservancy District Hearing Set for Tuesday

A petition hearing concerning the establishment of an East Shore Conservancy District in Culver is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Work toward the establishment of the East Shore Conservancy District began in August when the East Shore Corporation’s wetland disbursement system failed north of 18th Road.  The East Shore Corporation is currently pumping and hauling waste, at their own expense, that is being treated in the Town of Culver’s wastewater system.

The district would be running lines from 18th Road and Queen Road to State Road 10 and hook into Culver’s northwest point of the wastewater system.  Residents in the East Shore Corporation would have to hook to the system and there are over 100 members in the corporation.

The Marshall County Commissioners recently approved a motion to produce a letter of support for the establishment of the East Shore Conservancy District in Culver.  The Culver Town Council voiced support for the project as well.   

The hearing convened by the Department of Natural Resources begins at Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET at the Culver Depot. 

Reserved Turkey Hunt Permits Now Available

ild Tom Turkey in Brown County; photo source: IDNR

Starting today and running through March 22nd, hunters have the ability to apply for a reserved turkey hunt by visiting Hunting.IN.gov. To apply, click on the ‘reserved hunt info’ link that appears on that page.

No late entries will be accepted and applicants must possess a valid hunting license for the species they wish to hunt.

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Marshall County Sheriff to Apply for Lake Marine Patrol Grant

Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel asked the county council members Monday morning to apply for a Department of Natural Resources grant for Lake Marine Patrol.

Sheriff Hassel said the grant is for patrols for Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver.

“There’s no county cash match or anything. It’s strictly the grant. The Culver Lake Association pays for the program,” said Hassel.

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More Than 1600 Hoosier Students Benefit from Field Trip Grant Program

ftThanks to the Discovering the Outdoors Field Trip Grant Program, students at 22 Indiana schools will learn about nature by visiting Indiana state parks and reservoirs this school year. The grants are open to public, private, religious and home-school educators and are administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, the supporting non-profit of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Continue reading

DNR Approves Grants to Eradicate Invasive Aquatic Vegetation

The Department of Natural Resources has issued grant money to local counties to fight invasive aquatic vegetation. Lake and River Enhancement program grants from the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife allow for the completion of projects that would be difficult for local organizations to fund on their own.

Lake users will benefit from efforts to control non-native species, including Eurasian watermilfoil, curly-leaf pondweed, and starry stonewort. The grants can provide economic benefits to lake communities by improving and increasing public access opportunities for those who fish or pleasure-boat.

Starke County has been granted $18,800 for work at Bass Lake, Pulaski County will receive $5,000 for Bruce Lake projects, $8,800 is set for Koontz Lake in Marshall County and a grant for $12,400 was approved for Lake of the Woods in Marshall County.

A total of $447,009 was granted to 55 counties in the state.