This week’s news out of the international scientific community has not been optimistic. Extreme heat, melting glaciers, unexpected rain in Greenland all makes one wonder if there is a chance of turning around climate change. Of course, the only reasonable or acceptable response is, yes.  Effort on our part does not guarantee a successful outcome but no response does guarantee disaster. So, to continue to care mightily and to remember why we care about nature, recognizing that we are part of nature is critical. This past week that immersion came in the form of LC Nature Park’s Trillium Fest 2024.
 
LC Nature Park is a unique private preserve in the heart of the historic Little River Valley.  It is part of a neighborhood of preserves and nature corridors. This includes two preserves owned by ACRES Land Trust, two owned by Little River Wetlands Project and it is also located not far from Fogwell Forest, Fox Island County Park and Eagle Marsh. However, this preserve is different from its neighbors.
 
LC Nature Preserve is a 200+ acre preserve. It works to recreate habitats and biodiversity that existed in the area prior to the introduction of European settlers. This includes wetlands, prairie, forests, and a sand dune. It includes two restored historic barns. However, most unique to the area, it includes a herd of elk and a herd of bison. The mission of LC Nature Park is to educate the public about the geology of the area, the history of the area, and the related biodiversity.

This past weekend was the third annual Trillium Fest. The dune was carpeted with these beautiful spring flowers. Their blooming becomes an excuse to welcome spring and summer and all of the activities that will be occurring at the park. Trillium Fest includes volunteers who function as greeters and public educators, booths highlighting other nature-focused agencies, educational games at the education center, food trucks, elk and bison, and of course a dune carpeted in trillium.
 
It is difficult to give in to despair and give up on working to heal a planet when you see examples of restoration and hope throughout the Little River Valley. Today’s hope came in the form of restored habitats, restored herds, children and families reveling in nature and of course, the beauty of the trilliums.

​On April 28, 2024, Eco Fest Fort Wayne sponsored a community workshop at the Allen County Public Library in downtown Fort Wayne. The presenter Freya Berntson, Northeast Indiana Native Plant Society Stewardship Chair, presented an Invasive Plant Workshop. This was part of the ACPL Earth Day Observance.  The workshop did, in fact, focus on problems associated with invasive plants. I however keep referring to it as a Native Plant presentation. I suspect that is my tendency to want to focus on solutions. Freya provided solutions and strategies for a problem impacting home properties, wilderness, farmland, and community greenspaces.
 
 
The talk was organized and easy to understand. She defined Invasive Plants and distinguished them from non-native plants that were not invasive and to native plants. Frey provided contacts for learning more about invasive plants. This included the USDA National Invasive Species Information Center, the Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas, and the State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management site. (CISMA).
 
She spoke about how the laws to protect environments differs across states. Indiana is regulated by the Indiana Terrestrial Plant Rule 312 1AC 18-3-25.  At this time our laws regulate far less plants than our neighboring states laws.
 
The problems, as elaborated by Ms. Bentson, is that invasives our produce native plants, provide less nutrition to native animals, and alter the soil. This out competing may lead to monoculture populations of plants that lower the value of land and harm the ecology of the land.           
 
Strategies for removing invasive populations included cutting, mowing, pulling, prescribe burns, and using pesticides. There were pluses and negatives for each strategy. She also talked about the value of native plants. They are part of the local ecology, enrich the soil, feed other species, and provide for a healthier environment. ​Tools for identifying invasive, non-native, and native plants included: EDD Maps, PlantNet, and iNaturalist.
 
The talk was very well received. There were many questions and the audience remained engaged during the presentation. 

Freya is a part of the local natrualist landscape. To be sure, she is more of the native plant-type and not to be mistaken for invasive! If you are an active greenie in the area you have met her or heard about her. The following is a brief interview with the woman who provided us with a useful and hopeful presentation on Invasive and native Plants:​

Question:  How long have you been working in nature?

Answer:   Almost my whole adult life, and a couple of my teenage years (approximately 25 years)! I've worked and/or volunteered in invasive plant management, bird of prey rehabilitation, desert tortoise research, endangered Hawaiian bird aviculture, and helped hundreds of people hold a tarantula, as a few examples.

Question:  How did you get involved?

Answer:  I grew up 3 miles from Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center. I was offered a summer camp job there when I was a teen. I then started helping with bird banding and other research related activities thanks to Dave Miller. By the time I turned 18, I knew I wanted to do *something* nature based with the rest of my life.

Question:  Were you always involved in nature as a kid or was there a moment that changed your life?

Answer: Growing up in rural Northeast Indiana, I like to say I was a "feral child." I wandered around the countryside building tree forts, swimming up to frogs in wetlands while they laid eggs. It was idyllic in hindsight. 

Question:  What training or education do you have in your field?

Answer: I have a Masters of Natural Resource Stewardship with a focus on Ecological Restoration from Colorado State University. I've completed a variety of prescribed fire certifications, and also hold a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician certificate (because people get hurt outside sometimes!).

Question:  Tell us a little about the prescribed fires and the training/certification for that.

Answer: The initial certification is about 35-40 hours of coursework plus a field day where you have the option to complete a pack test. The pack test is walking 3 miles, carrying 45 pounds, and you have to finish in less than 45 minutes. I've also completed Burn Manager training in Indiana and Ohio.
To date, I've been on over 150 prescribed fires in IN, OH, and MI. Every fire is different, even on sites that you have helped burn before! Hands on experience in prescribed fire is the most important aspect.

Question:  With climate change, invasive animals and plants, and loss of habitat how do you stay optimistic?
Answer:  I'd lie if I said it wasn't hard sometimes! Honestly, the beauty and complexity of life awe me every day. Even in some of the more "degraded" places. I know I can't "save the world," but I can do a little here and there to try to help a little. 

I return to the idea of Leopold's land ethic almost daily. "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community." I have this tattooed on me! It's not easy to know what is "right" all the time. 

Question:  What advice do you have for young folks who are interested in pursuing a career in environmental work?

Answer: Try everything. If you don't like one thing, quit and try something else. Don't commit to something you don't enjoy because it might change how you feel about everything. You will find something that you love, it just might take a while. “In Wilderness is the preservation of the world.” Henry David Thoreau.