Yellow leaves in abundance lead the eye up a tall tree to a bright blue sky in Central Park during the fall.

Park Stewardship

    Let's get outside! Explore Nature Programs

    Park Stewardship

    What is stewardship? Stewardship is the responsibility or role of taking care of something.

    So, what is park stewardship? It’s the conservation of our natural resources over an extended period. It is caring for the land, air, and water that make up our parks.

    We value stewardship as an essential role to keep our parks and natural resources viable and beautiful for future generations. Our park stewardship programming protects and upholds the natural areas in our parks by engaging our community in park stewardship volunteer opportunities and teaching about natural resources and their importance through nature education programs.

    We invite you to explore our park stewardship pages to learn more about our land’s natural history, our efforts to sustain our resources, and even ways for you to support native habitat in your own backyard!  

     

    Become a Park Steward

    Do you want to contribute to managing the 700+ acres across our parks and greenways? Join us as a park steward volunteer! Engaging with our park stewardship program will teach you transferrable life skills and ensure you are making a difference for the land in our parks while leaving them healthier for future generations.

    Register
    Hike Icon

    The Wonders of the Whistle Pig!
    Feb 2 | Monon Community Center | 1-2:30 p.m.

    REGISTER
    Pine Tree Icon

    Kitchen Chemistry
    Feb 17 | Monon Community Center |  1-2:30 p.m.

    REGISTER
    Citizen Science Icon

    Birding 101
    April 12 | Monon Community Center | 10-11:30 a.m.

    REGISTER

    Seasonal Stories + Activities

    Birds to Spot in Indiana This Season

    Spring in Indiana can be unpredictable. Some days are warm and mild; the sun shines down on the forest floor, wildflowers bloom, and hibernating critters start to stir. Other days begin with a nip of frost in the air; with gray skies and cold, windy nights, it’s almost like we’re transported right back to winter. While we can’t always predict the weather, we can predict what birds you’ll see pass through Indiana on their way back north! Let’s learn about a few migratory birds you can expect to spot this spring.

    Sandhill Crane: In the spring, Sandhill Cranes migrate through Indiana, with large flocks (some reaching up to tens of thousands) stopping in areas like Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area and Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area. Fun fact: the Sandhill Crane’s unique, long rolling call is due to their long windpipes, which coil into their chest and causes their low pitch.

    Yellow-rumbed Warbler: This migratory bird is nicknamed “butterbutt” due to the distinguishable patch of yellow on their rump! Unlike other warblers, Yellow-rumbed Warblers can withstand Indiana winters due to their unique ability to digest berries when other food sources are scarce. Although these birds are still known to migrate south for the winter, they return to Indiana in abundance come spring!

    Indigo Bunting: Despite their bright hue, you may have a harder time spotting the Indigo Bunting in your backyard. These songbirds can typically be found in weedy fields and shrubby areas near trees during day, but they migrate at night – in fact, a study conducted in 1960 proved that Indigo Buntings use the movement of the stars to navigate.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Volunteer Spotlight

    Meet the Team

    Abby Wallace

    Volunteer Coordinator

    awallace@carmelclayparks.com

    Have a question about volunteering with Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation? Contact Abby.

    Michael Allen

    Parks & Natural Resources Director

    mallen@carmelclayparks.com

    Contact for questions regarding division priorities, data or management plans.