ANDREWS, IN- Head out to Salamonie Lake on June 17 for guided hikes and a 24-hour Photo Blitz challenge. Participation in the Photo Blitz is a way to help identify flora and fauna on Salamonie Lake property.
Guided hike sessions will be held to provide opportunities to learn about and potentially photograph wildlife. All guided hikes will meet at Salamonie Interpretive Center, located within Salamonie Lake’s Lost Bridge West SRA. After a brief introduction, groups will disperse to specific property locations.
Participants should bring their own phone/camera and dress for the weather.
Registration is required for hikes by calling 260-468-2127. Registration deadline is June 13.
Hike session choices are:
9 a.m. – Indiana Birds
9 a.m. – Native Wildflowers
9 a.m. – Fungi
11 a.m. – Indiana Mammals
11 a.m. – Snakes, Turtles, and Amphibians
11 a.m. – Butterflies (ADA accessible)
1 p.m. – Campfire S’mores and hotdogs, sharing photos and the day’s experiences
Qualified hike session presenters are Laura Whiteleather, former DNR interpretive naturalist, wildflowers; Jake Wyatt, horticulturist, DNR volunteer, fungi; Justin Emmons, DNR Salamonie Lake wildlife specialist, mammals; Taylor Lehman, former regional ecologist, herps; Jody Heaston, DNR volunteer and Indiana Master Naturalist coordinator, former DNR interpretive naturalist, butterflies; and Chandler Sonafrank, DNR interpretive naturalist, avian field research, Indiana birds.
24-Hour Photo Blitz begins June 17 from 12 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. All photos to be included in the Photo Blitz contest must be taken while on Salamonie Lake property. Participants may include photos taken during guided hike sessions and may also be taken independently on property.
Guidelines to submit photos for Photo Blitz contest:
– No registration necessary, unless attending guided hike sessions.
– Observations must include evidence of an organism through photos or audio recording.
Examples include photos of animals/animal tracks, recording of bird song, etc.
– Observations must be made within Salamonie Lake property.
– Observations must be submitted to iNaturalist within three days to be considered in the event’s
photo contest.
– Only observations with photos count towards photo contest, but all observations are welcome
for documenting biodiversity.
- Observations must be made by you.
- The person who submits the highest total number of species during the contest will get the chance to have a photo observation highlighted at the Interpretive Center.
- For more information on iNaturalist visit: https://inaturalist.org/pages/bioblitz+guide
- Salamonie Lake property map may be found here:
https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/files/salamonie_trail.pdf
Program sponsored by Friends of Upper Wabash Interpretive Services.
Property entrance fees apply, $7 per in-state vehicle; $9 per out-of-state vehicle. Annual passes available for purchase.
Upper Wabash Interpretive Services is at 3691 S. New Holland Road, Andrews, 46702.
