Ohio Valley Birding Festival

The 2011 Ohio Valley Birding Festival will
begin on April 27 through May 1 with lots of activities for all ages. Please go to www.ohiovalleybirdingfestival.org/ for the schedule of events. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Eldon Greij, founder of Birder's World magazine.
Event is presented by Evansville Audubon Society.
Many Master Naturalists will be volunteering their time and talents to make this festival educational for all.
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April 17, 2011 Wildflower Walk

Greetings!
You missed a great nature encounter if you were not at USI for the monthly SIMNA gathering/tailgate meeting on April 17.

A group of approx. 14 went on a wildflower ID walk in the rich woodlands at the back of USI on well-used trails. We encountered Jack-in-the- Pulpit (some large specimens), Trout Lily going to seed, Wood Phlox, blooming Mayapple, Giant Star Chickweed(yes we have a beautiful native one), a patch of Iris Cristata which we wish was blooming, Dutchman's Breeches, and Goldenseal, much more!

We were glad to have UE botanist, Ann Powell, with us to help with verification, scientific names, and great books to show details.
Weather was perfect, and before we knew it, we had spent 2 hours out there.

Everyone enjoyed Kathy's Trail Cookies also, served out of the trunk of her car!

Please join us on May 16 for our next SIMNA gathering as we meet at The Evansville Museum for a special reception to new IMNs and a customized tour of Pat Brentano's exhibit. More info to come on that.

Kathy