November 3, 2021
Traditional Uses of Indigenous Plants ♥ View on YouTube
Karen LaMere, INPS Central Chapter board member, Carmel-Clay Parks Naturalist and decendent of the Ho-Chunk Nation will be discussing the use of plants and animals in the daily life of her ancestors. Her grandfather was born in a wigwam in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Karen will share stories and information on plants and animals used by her ancestors and in her daily life.
Karen has been working in the field of natural resources for 30+ years and is currently the naturalist for Carmel-Clay Parks and Recreation. Her past experiences include naturalist work at Eagle Creek Park, Merry Lea Environmental Center, Wisconsin DNR, and River Bend Nature Center. She received her Bachelors degree in Biology from Olivet College and a Masters in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University.
October 20, 2021
Contributing to Conservation and Maximizing the Ecological Value of your Landscape ♥ View on YouTube
Biodiversity is declining faster than at any time in human history. When we lose biodiversity, we destabilize ecosystems and risk their collapse. Functioning ecosystems are vital to support all life on Earth. Native plants support a great deal more biodiversity than introduced plants.
The INPS Landscaping with Natives Team is developing a range of media platforms to guide home gardeners, HOA groups and municipalities so that they can successfully adopt sustainable management practices and incorporate native plants into a wide variety of urban, suburban and rural landscapes.
Coralie will cover some background on the importance of biodiversity & ecosystem function, and why it’s so important that we landscape with native plants and try to incorporate ecological practices in our gardening. She will then delve into how to control invasives, reduce lawn areas, species selection & ecological landscape management.
Coralie Palmer is chair of the INPS Landscaping with Natives Team. Originally from London, Coralie received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Biological Sciences from Oxford University. Since moving to Indiana nine years ago, she has spent time studying the native plants and ecology of the Midwest, which has become a passion.
September 25, 2021
Fall Color from Natives ♥ View on YouTube
Myrene Brown promotes the use of native plants that add color to your fall garden. These suggested native plants, when added to your garden, will attract native birds and insects bringing sound and movement to enhance your garden while providing the beauty and connection to nature that so many of us crave.
Adding plantings specifically for fall will continue the enjoyment of your garden past the big flush of summer blooms, provide for fall bird migrators, and bring interesting insects for observation. With a few well thought out additions, your garden can continue to bring moments of interest, peace and contentment as you step out your door into the crisp fall air.
Myrene Brown, owner of Myrene’s Garden has been planting and experimenting with native plants since her move to Indiana in 1989. In 1998 she started Myrene’s Garden which provides garden lectures, garden coaching, and design work for clients.
July 26, 2021
All Things Seeds: How to Save, Sow and so much more!
INPS Central Chapter and the Indianapolis Library presented this program which was held in person at the Glendale Branch library. Join Master Gardeners Shelli and Jennifer as they demonstrate how to save seed from some of your favorite garden veggies, herbs, annual flowers and natives.
You will also learn a simple way to winter sow native plants. If you have any seeds you would like to share, bring them as there will be a mini seed swap. If not, don’t worry, you can still get in on the fun and walk away with seeds.
Jennifer Lambert completed the Purdue Extension Master Gardener program in 2012. Since then, she has achieved gold status with over 3,500 volunteer service hours, 250 education hours and served as Association President in Hamilton County in 2019. Shelli Broadbent completed the Purdue Extension Master Gardener program in 2012.
She has accumulated nearly 4,000 volunteer hours, and over 250 education hours, including going to Seed Saving school with Seed Savers Exchange. To share her love of all things seeds in 2017, she co-started the “Seed Committee” for HCMGA. The seed committee includes the Seed Library, Seed Saving and an annual Seed Swap.
July 2021
Proper Tree Planting and Maintenance Techniques
These programs were in person. A tree planting demonstration took place at the Southport Branch.
INPS Central Chapter in partnership with Indianapolis Public Library is offering an in- person presentation by Carrie Tauscher, State Community and Urban Forestry (CUF) Program Coordinator with the Indiana DNR. Planting and caring for a tree is not simple if you want it to survive and thrive into maturity. Instructors focus on different types of planting stock, choosing good stock at the nursery, and then describe or demonstrate how to dig the hole and then plant the three primary types of stock balled and burlapped, containerized, and bare root trees. Participants will also learn how much water it takes for a new tree, types of mulch, how to mulch, fertilization do’s and don’ts, and even a bit about post planting care. Participants will know how to plan for planting and the right way to plant at the end of this presentation.
Carrie holds degrees from Iowa State University in Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. She is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist with Tree Risk Assessment Qualifications.
July 20, 2021
Visit the MCSW Conservation District Demo Garden at the Mayor’s Garden
Location: West 56th Street and Reed Road.
Learn from MCSWCD Soil Specialist Kevin Allison about cover cropping, mulching and crop rotation for soil health, planting in the garden for beneficial insects and pollinators and so much more. See the garden in action! The Marion County SWCD Eagle Creek Demonstration Garden is a 25′ x 75′ educational vegetable garden located within a larger community garden known as the Mayor’s Garden at Eagle Creek.
Kevin is an Urban Soil Health Specialist with the MCSWCD, with support from the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. His focus is to provide educational opportunities and technical assistance to growers in soil health and regenerative agriculture. His background includes work with small-scale and large-scale cropping systems, 3 years of service in the Peace Corps Dominican Republic, and lots of gardening. Kevin is from southern Indiana and holds a BS in Environmental Science from Indiana University.
July 3, 2021
Holliday Farms Plant Rescue
Holliday Farms still has lots of plants. It’s amazing what’s in a pristine forest; however, the pristine part of this forest is getting ever smaller. Last year about this time we found fire pinks and monkey flower. What do you need to add to your collection? Running strawberry, blue lobelia, bishop’s weed, hepatica, spicebush, blue-eyed grass, Jacob’s ladder, wild geranium, horse balm, some unusual bedstraws? You probably can still find it.
June 8, 2021
Indiana’s Natural Regions—There’s More Than Corn in Indiana ♥ View on YouTube
This fun, informative Zoom program was presented by Mike Homoya.
Based on a 1985 paper and map presented to the Indiana Academy of Science, this program will include descriptions of twelve natural regions that make our state unique. Distinctive flora and fauna, both past and present, were discussed.
Michael Homoya served as Botanist/Plant Ecologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Nature Preserves for 37 years before retiring in 2019. He has written over 75 scientific papers, popular articles, and books about Indiana’s natural features, including Orchids of Indiana, Wildflowers and Ferns of Indiana Forests: A Field Guide, Wake Up, Woods, and Wildflowers of the Midwest (in press). He is past president of the Indiana Native Plant Society.
June 3, 2021
Establishing and Maintaining a Wildlife Garden with Nancy Tatum
Webinar presented by Indianapolis Public Library and Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS) Central Chapter. See how to establish and maintain a wildlife garden.
Whether you have a small or large space to grow flowers, are a beginner or have an established garden, this program will share ideas on how to grow flowers to attract wildlife. There will also be discussion on the importance of growing native plants, non-pesticide use, and how to certify your yard as a wildlife habitat with the Indiana Wildlife Federation.
Nancy Tatum, Vice President of INPS Central Chapter, is a self-taught gardener who, for over 25 years, has transformed her yard into a sanctuary for wildlife, including pollinators. She also has a large area for milkweed and raises monarchs from caterpillars she finds on the plants.
April 14, 2021 ♥ View on YouTube
Regenerative Agriculture, Climate Change and Biodiversity with Hans Schmitz
Regenerative agriculture is a relatively new term to describe a suite of management practices that aim to improve the soil and water quality of a farm. In many ways, regenerative agriculture is a net mitigator of climate change while introducing species diversity to a farm, including the opportunity for native plantings.
Hans Schmitz, Purdue Extension Educator in Posey County, will describe the interconnections of climate change, regenerative agriculture, and the potential for inclusion of native plants. Regenerative Ag speaks mostly to the soil, but can also be expanded to include principles in habitat regeneration and ecosystem regeneration. Natives certainly play a large role in that respect. Add climate change to the mix, and protection of native plants becomes all the more important.
Hans Schmitz received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Meteorology from Purdue University. He currently works for Purdue Extension, serving in Posey County as the Ag and Natural Resources Educator. During his tenure, he assisted in development of the “Dynamics of Climate” teaching curriculum and a series of Purdue Extension publications on basic climate science. He co-chairs the North Central Climate Collaborative, a 12-state team of Extension professionals with climate expertise.
March 30, 2021
Ferns of Indiana with Mike Homoya ♥ View on YouTube
Ferns are plants without flowers, but what they lack in floral beauty they make up with fancy leaves. They occur in a variety of habitats, including some of driest and wettest habitats in the state. Homoya will discuss many of the state’s species, including some which aren’t so “fancy.”
March 2, 2021
Orchids of Indiana with Mike Homoya ♥ View on YouTube
Did you know orchids occur on all continents except Antarctica? The orchid family is considered by many to have a greater number of species than all other plant families. To the surprise of many, Indiana has over 45 naturally occurring species. This presentation will look at a selection of them and discuss their occurrence in the state.
Michael Homoya served as Botanist/Plant Ecologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Nature Preserves for 37 years before retiring in 2019. He has written over 75 scientific papers, popular articles, and books about Indiana’s natural features, including Orchids of Indiana, Wildflowers and Ferns of Indiana Forests: A Field Guide, Wake Up, Woods, and Wildflowers of the Midwest (in press). He is a board member and past president of Indiana Native Plant Society.
February 16, 2021
Native Plants in INDOT’s Roadside Management Program ♥ View on YouTube
Learn how Indiana Department of Transportation strives to manage their roadsides to introduce native plants and control invasive and noxious weeds, all while maintaining expected levels of safety and aesthetic appeal. Matt Krauchar, a Specialist in Indiana Department of Transportation’s Roadside Management Program, will provide a virtual (approx) 40-minute presentation of their work followed by time for Q & A.
Of related interest: An Innovative Approach to Roadside Plantings from the United Kingdom
January 31, 2021
Central Chapter Virtual Icebreaker
Welcome the new year with fellow chapter members and guests.
January 12, 2021 ♥ View on YouTube
Good Bug, Bad Bug? Native Plant Gardening and Reducing Pesticide Risk
INPS Central Chapter will introduce Stephanie Frischie from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation for a Zoom presentation on gardening with native plants for pollinators.
As a foundation, the talk will start with an overview of planning, creating and managing native plants in landscaping. For another level of learning, we will discuss the associated insects, microbes, and ecological relationships the native plant gardener can expect and look forward to experiencing. Additionally, Stephanie will cover how to reduce the risks and use of pesticides to support life-friendly habitat and beauty around our homes and communities.
Stephanie provides pollinator habitat expertise to farms in Canada, the U.S. and Latin America. She also works with the native seed industry and researchers to plan and develop seed supply of important plant species for creating and restoring habitat. Before joining Xerces, Stephanie researched native cover crops in Spanish olive orchards at Semillas Silvestres. Previously, she was Plant Materials and Conservation Programs Manager for eleven years at the Nature Conservancy’s Kankakee Sands Restoration in northwest Indiana.
Stephanie volunteers as a rare plant monitor with Plants of Concern and is the secretary of the International Network for Seed-based Restoration. She is based in Warren County, Indiana and is a member of the West-Central chapter of INPS.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
CANCELLED
The Scoop on Soils
Carrie Tauscher, State Community and Urban Forestry Coordinator for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will talk about the ecology of soils. Participants will gain a working knowledge of the different soil types and learn how urban soils differ from soils in the woods or forest. The program focuses on key soil features that affect tree growth and how and when to spend time, dollars and energy in attempting to “fix” soil problems. This program will be a 2pm at the Nora Branch Library 8625 Guilford Ave. Indianapolis 46250 Free and open to the public.
May 16, 2020
CANCELLED
“Wake Up, Woods” Hike at Newfields Art and Nature Park
Chandler Bryant, Natural Resources Director at Newfields, and Ben Hess, Senior Ecologist at Cardno, will lead a group through the 100 Acres Art and Nature Park, where intensive native restoration is underway. They will identify the ephemeral species found in our award-winning book, Wake Up Woods. Register for this free event at https://tinyurl.com/u8gjddb . An email with meeting details will be sent out prior to the event.
April 18, 2020
CANCELLED
Spring Hike at Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve
Join INPS Central Chapter in exploring spring ephemerals, a skunk cabbage fen, and a variety of woodland birds that rely on the preserve in the middle of an ever growing urban area. The preserve hosts owls, woodpeckers, hawks, and songbirds that all directly or indirectly rely on the diversity of native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees for food and shelter. Enjoy the easy to moderate trails on a relaxed walk through the woods. There is no fee to enter the park. We will meet at the cabin at the south end of the parking lot. Two hikes will be offered: 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Free and open to the public. Preregistration is required (maximum of 12 people for each hike) at https://tinyurl.com/wm499hh
April 25, 2020
CANCELLED
How INDOT Is Promoting Native Plants
INPS Central Chapter in partnership with the Nora Branch Library will have a presentation by Matt Kraushar with INDOT’s Vegetation Management Program. He will discuss what INDOT is doing to promote native species and control invasives while providing a safe and aesthetically pleasing roadside. Free and open to the public. 2:00 p.m., Nora Library, 8625 N. Guilford, Indianapolis. No registration required.
April 25, 2020
POSTPONED TO AUGUST
Marion County Weed Wrangle
Information to come.
March 29, 2020
CANCELLED
The Impact and Significance of Invasive Plant Species in Indiana
Dawn Slack, Director of Stewardship with The Nature Conservancy, will share the significance and highlights of our amazing native ecosystems and how each of us impacts those systems with our landscape choices. Review a few invasive species and their native look-alikes. She will cover the impact of invasive plants and what we (collective group of citizens and agencies) are doing to manage them in Indiana and in the region. She will discuss the role each citizen plays in the health of our protected places and green spaces. 2pm, Pike Branch Library, 6525 Zionsville Rd Indianapolis 46268. Free and open to the public.
February 23, 2020
Proper Tree Planting and Maintenance Techniques
Carrie Tauscher, State Community and Urban Forestry Coordinator for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, will discuss how planting and caring for a tree is not simple if you want it to survive and thrive into maturity. The focus will be on different types of planting stock, choosing good stock at the nursery, and then describe or demonstrate how to dig the hole and then plant the three primary types: stock balled and burlapped, containerized, and bare root trees. Participants will also learn how much water it takes for a new tree, types of mulch, how to mulch, fertilization do’s and don’ts, and even a bit about post planting care. Participants will know how to plan for planting and the right way to plant at the end of this lecture. 2pm, Pike Branch Library, 6525 Zionsville Rd. Indianapolis 46268. Free and open to the public.
January 12, 2020
Ice Breaker Social, Annual Chapter Meeting
December 15, 2019
Healing with Native Plants – repeat session
Due to the huge popularity of “Healing with Native Plants” and a long waiting list, Dr Candace Corson offered to repeat this talk again in December. 2-1/1 hr hands-on class. Dr. Candace Corson, who practices Integrative Medicine, assisted participants with making their own take-home jar of healing cream which helps with multiple types of skin conditions and injuries. She discussed this ancient healing remedy that uses wild white Yarrow, along with the use and benefit of several other plants and flowers such as jewelweed, plantain, violets and dandelions. The class size was limited and sold out.
November 16, 2019
Central Chapter Fall Social
INPS-CC held “Fall Festival on the Farm” on Saturday, November 16 at member Lisa Meek’s Creekside Quarter Horse Farm northeast of Noblesville. Approximately 25 members and guests attended the event which included self-guided tours of the native landscaping and horses as well as a mini tour of the adjacent property where Lisa and her husband Mike planted a 4500 tree and shrub riparian buffer along Stony Creek. We dined on grilled hot dogs and a variety of wonderful dishes provided by those attending. Food and fun was abundant!
October 26, 2019
Healing with Native Plants
Indiana Native Plant Society, in partnership with the Nora Branch Library, will have a demonstration and hands-on presentation for uses of local plants. Dr. Candace Corson, who practices Integrative Medicine, will assist participants with making their own take-home jar of healing cream which helps with multiple types of skin conditions and injuries. She will discuss this ancient healing remedy that uses wild white Yarrow, along with the use and benefit of several other plants and flowers such as jewelweed, plantain, violets and dandelions. This is a hands-on class—please plan on staying 2 ½ hours from start to finish. Everyone will take home their own jar of salve! There is a suggested donation of $3.00 per person or family to cover the cost of the olive oil and beeswax.
October 13, 2019
Wild Turkeys in Indiana!
INPS Central Chapter is changing it up for their October program. Indiana Master Naturalist, Coletta Kosiba will give a fun and informative presentation about Indiana’s wild turkeys. Did you know they roost high in treetops? That they can be shy and very smart? Snacks will be provided. Program is at 2:00 p.m. at the Wayne Branch library, 198 S. Girls School Rd, Indianapolis. Easy access from I-465 and Rockville Rd. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy this program with a short monthly meeting following the presentation.