Firewood Restrictions Continue This Summer
Check your firewood source before you head to a state park, reservoir or state forest campground. Because of the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that kills ash trees, we are maintaining strict rules limiting the types of firewood that can come into our campgrounds and the locations from which firewood can be brought.

For more details, read our Firewood/Emerald Ash Borer FAQ sheet at www.dnr.in.gov/healthy and go to the Emerald Ash Borer link.



Beat the Summer Heat!
Don't suffer through one more oppressive summer. There's no better place to beat the heat than in or near the water at a state park or reservoir.

Need some ideas for summer fun near the water? Try one of these refreshing alternatives.

Visit a DNR swimming pool or beach for lots of fun and exercise.
Cool off at the O'Bannon Woods SP newly renovated family aquatic center, featuring a zero-entry access, water slides for the kids and lots of room to play.
Enjoy the aquatic centers/outdoor swimming pools at 10 other State Parks and Reservoirs including Shakamak, McCormick's Creek, Harmonie, Spring Mill, Lieber SRA, Turkey Run, Ouabache, Versailles, Clifty Falls and Brown County.
Lay out on the sandy beaches of Indiana Dunes State Park, named one of the top 10 family-friendly beaches in the country by tripadvisor.com.
Fish or boat from the new public access ramp onto the Ohio River or from the 5-lane launching ramp at Charlestown SP.
Catch a whopper fishing at Summit Lake's new 210 foot fishing dock or at Salamonie Lake's four improved fishing bank sites.
Get your lake permit to launch a boat or canoe on one of Indiana’s nine reservoirs or any lake located in a state park or state forest. You can buy your lake permits at any state park or reservoir, or purchase them online at Mother Nature’s Mercantile (estore.dnr.state.in.us)
For more information about new and improved facilities of all types at state parks and reservoirs, visit us on the web at www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/pdf/Updates_and_Upgrades07.pdf

To learn more about summer fun at the Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs, visit www.dnr.IN.gov/parklake



Register for the MyDNR Newsletter Drawing!
Enter our MyDNR newsletter drawing. Choose from one of the following great prizes:
Knobstone Trail Guided Day hike - Take a guided day hike with DNR Conservation Officer Bill Beville. Choose the section of the Knobstone Trail for anytime between June 15 and Sept. 30. Officer Beville will share hiking, camping and survival tips as well as provide a trail lunch and transportation from an agreed upon starting point. You provide a daypack and water. Minimum age is 13, but anyone under 18 must have one responsible guardian in party. Good for up to four people.
$50 State Parks Inns Gift Certificate - Good for Indiana State Park Inns and giftshops.
$50 Indiana State Park and Reservoirs camping giftcard - This giftcard is good any campgrounds in the Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs.
To enter, go to our drawing registration and choose the prize that you would like to be entered for.

If you are having difficulties linking over, copy and paste the following URL into your browser:
http://www.in.gov/surveytool/public/survey.php?name=summer_blast_drawing_copy



We need your help at the Indiana State Fair!
Help us introduce kids to fishing. Volunteer to assist at the new fishing pond behind the Natural Resources Building during the Indiana State Fair, Aug. 8 - 19.

Last year, more than 6,200 children and parents caught fish during the pond's first year. Volunteers are needed to assist the many more kids who will join us this year for:

Fishing guidance at the pond (casting, releasing of catch, baiting hooks, safety of participants).
Assisting with hands-on learning and craft activities.
Maintaining fishing equipment during the fair (set-up and care of equipment, tying bobbers and hooks on fishing line).
Registering kids who are participating in fishing event.
For questions or to volunteer, contact Lynn Felts at (317) 562-1338 or email at lfelts@dnr.IN.gov.



Go Underground with Project WET and Go FishIN
Join Project WET and Go FishIN as we explore the world underground - karst ecosystems, aquatic cave wildlife and underground watersheds.

This exciting educational workshop will show you about caves in Indiana. Fun, hands-on activities such as building a karst groundwater model and learning how to build a cave in a classroom will support the technical, scientific-based information. In addition, participants will take a field trip to a local cave system guided by Hoosier National Forest staff. There is a $15.00 fee (checks can be made payable to IDNR - Project WET).

For more information or to register contact the Natural Resources Education Center at 317-562-1338 or nrec@dnr.in.gov.



A Summer of Museum Fun
This summer at the Indiana State Museum, exhibits aren’t the only things to enjoy. Check out these events and activities:

Summer Sounds - Enjoy an eclectic mix of music from Indiana musicians returning to the museum's Canal Cafe Terrace. June 14, 21, 28; July 5, 12, 19; August 15, 22, 29; September 5, 12, 19

Summer Solstice Celebration - Celebrate the longest day of the year and find out how the sun has affected our lives throughout the ages. Speak with local experts about astronomy, the science of solar power and sun-related traditions. Test your knowledge of the solar system and participate in hands-on activities created in coordination with NASA. June 23

Reptile Days - Get up close and personal with snakes, lizards, turtles and other amphibians at the ISM's annual reptile event. Learn why a reptile may or may not be right for your lifestyle, how to care for and handle captive-bred reptiles, and why native species are protected in Indiana. July 14, July 15

Man on the Moon Festival - Travel back 38 years to remember that historic first step, examine how space exploration benefits us, and imagine our future in space through films, guest speakers, and hands-on activities created in coordination with NASA. July 21
For more information about these events and the Indiana State Museum, visit us at www.indianamuseum.org



Summer is a Great Time of Year at Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs
Take advantage of the warmer weather and enjoy the summer festivities. Many different events have been planned. Here are just a few of the activities that you will find:

For Heath and Adventure:

Mighty Mississinewa Triathlon
DINO Mountain Bike Series
TRIRI (Touring Ride in Rural Indiana) Bicycle tours
For Art and Music in the Outdoors:

Arts in the Park Festival, McCormick's Creek SP
Fort Wayne Philharmonic at Pokagon and Ouabache SPs
Family Fun:

Pokagon Seaplane Fly-In, Potawatomi Inn
Smokey Bear's Birthday Celebration, J. Edward Roush Lake, Mississinewa Reservoir
Survivor Weekend, Salamonie Reservoir
Clarksville Heritage Festival, Falls of the Ohio SP
For more information about more activities planned throughout the summer, visit:
www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/interpretiveservices/programs/schedule/



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