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.
Continue readingDNR Properties Starting to Collect Entrance Fees
A few state parks and recreation areas began collecting entrance fees on Saturday.
Continue readingEast 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.
Culver Town Council Updated on Proposed East Shore Conservancy District
Progress in creating an East Shore Conservancy District in Culver is moving along.
Continue readingNearby Fire Departments Benefit from DNR Division of Forestry VFA Grants
Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants totaling more than $297,000 were recently distributed to 71 rural and volunteer fire departments around Indiana.
Continue readingReserved Turkey Hunt Permits Now Available
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.
Continue readingVolunteer Hosts Can Camp for Free at State Parks, Forests and Recreational Properties
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is seeking outdoorsy types who enjoy working with others to serve as campground hosts at state parks, forests and recreation properties in 2019.
Continue readingMarshall 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.
Marshall County Men Arrested Following DNR Investigation
A pair of Marshall County men face numerous criminal charges stemming from the alleged illegal possession and sale of venison. Continue reading
More Than 1600 Hoosier Students Benefit from Field Trip Grant Program
Thanks 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
Record Amount of Rainfall Leads to Boating Restrictions
The Department of Natural Resources had to restrict motorboat traffic from certain public freshwater lakes in Northern Indian due to the abundance of summer storms. The DNR created a web page with boating advisories to keep boating public and lakefront property owners informed of current restrictions or closures. Continue reading
Looking for S’More Summer Fun?
If you’re not already following the DNR Division of State Parks on Twitter or Facebook, you may want to as soon as possible. By doing so you can participate in the sweet ‘S’mores in the Outdoors Adventure’ that will be taking place throughout the entire month of August. Continue reading
DNR Makes Some Changes to Campground Fees
Due to the increase in campground operating costs, the Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife must raise their campground fees. The increase in fees will allow operations and maintenance to continue at Glendale, J.E. Roush Lake, and Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife Areas. Continue reading
Take Action! Don’t Let Mosquitoes Bug you This Summer
According to the Department of Natural Resources health officials report that the West Nile Virus is not only present in Indiana, but is actually widespread. The virus was first identified within the state in 2001, the same year it was discovered in Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky, Iowa and Illinois. 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.