State's Archaeology Month starts Sept. 1

Hoosier history buffs can learn about archaeological sites and artifacts, make stone tools and talk with archaeologists during Indiana's 12th annual Archaeology Month, starting Sept. 1.
The slogan, "Moving through Time," conveys how archaeology connects past, present and future.

Gov. Mitch Daniels Jr. issued the official proclamation citing September to recognize the contributions of archaeology to the state and the clues it can offer about Hoosier history. Years of archaeological investigations have helped state residents understand the complexity of the prehistoric and historic people who also called this land "home." 

"Our state has a fascinating story to tell and our staff members are experts in relating it in an entertaining and educational manner," said Rob Carter, DNR director. "Make sure to take advantage of the special opportunities this month to take in some of the special programs.
"The knowledge you gain will help enrich your enjoyment of your home state."

In honor of this celebration, the DNR invites Hoosiers to discover the stories behind the facts of the state's archaeological tale. For instance, the state archaeologist works for the DNR. Archaeologists have done investigations in Indiana since the early 1800s, finding and recording more than 49,000 archaeological sites.

Indiana Archaeology Month features events for all ages. For a schedule, please visit www.IN.gov/dnr/historic/archeomonth.html.

The DNR Web site also provides information on available educational and outreach materials, the commemorative Archaeology Month poster, the official Archaeology Month T-shirt that is available for purchase, and much more.

For more information, please contact Amy Johnson at the DNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, (317) 232-1646.

Silver-colored bands have adorned the legs of many Canada geese in Indiana for years, thanks to the DNR's Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).

Now, some of these birds will also sport larger, plastic bands that are either orange or white, also courtesy of the DFW.

No, the State's animal experts have not been accessorizing these birds for a night out; these bands allow DNR biologists to better track geese that they have relocated.
The brightly colored new bangles are much larger than the aluminum variety and therefore much more noticeable--gaudy, yet functional.
 
The select geese with this new "jewelry" have been removed from urban areas after conflicting with humans. Such "urban" geese have been relocated to state Fish and Wildlife Areas (FWAs) by qualified contractors at the expense of the property owner for years, because such lands have better habitat for geese than cities do.
 
Once on an FWA, geese are less likely to cause problems for people. In addition, these areas allow waterfowl hunting, which helps control the state's locally breeding goose population. But do such relocations really work in reducing the urban geese problem in the long term?

Many landowners suspect that transplanted geese soon flock right back to their old urban haunts at a very high rate. Previous research has shown that the actual frequency of return varies greatly, from 20 to 80 percent. Conventional wisdom says that geese that are relocated as adults seem to be more likely to return to cities, but those transferred from urban areas before they learn to fly seem to remain at the FWA and breed there; however, the research is not clear-cut.

The birds wearing the bands got them at the FWAs, just before release, enabling property owners, contractors and biologists to watch urban areas to see how many return. They also allow the DFW to better evaluate the success of the relocation method of controlling geese.

Such data can also be used to help address other goose management issues. For instance, if the study shows that few geese return to their original urban area, then it may be that other geese are continually re-colonizing urban ponds. If such is the case, modifying habitat so that geese no longer want to be there may be the only effective way of reducing goose-human conflicts.

This plastic-band study is being done in addition to the DFW's aluminum banding of more than 2,000 geese in the state each June, which has allowed for the documentation of thousands of reports from hunters and other finders. These data have allowed biologists to understand goose movement better. In addition, the information has allowed for analysis of survival rates, life span and rates at which geese are harvested by hunters.
 
The old-style bands will still be depended upon to play that role. Each contains a unique number etched on its surface that is registered with the federal Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) in Patuxent, Md. The BBL coordinates all migratory bird banding in the United States because the federal government has jurisdiction over migratory birds.

When a goose is harvested by a hunter, caught, or found dead, the person who recovers the band gets the ID ball rolling. The finder reports the band number to the BBL, which informs the DFW where and how the band was recovered, and tells the finder where and when the bird was banded. 

"Geese banded in Indiana have been harvested in 31 states and Canadian provinces," said Adam Phelps, waterfowl research biologist with the DFW. "These birds seem to move more than many people think they do. The colored leg bands will help us get better information on those specific birds that are relocated out of these conflict situations." 

Now, persons harvesting birds with the colored leg bands can help with the DFW's goose research by reporting their find, along with the number on the aluminum leg band, to FWA staff, or to the BBL at 1-800-327-BAND or http://www.reportband.gov/. Live birds with these colored bands need not be reported.

All reserved spaces for each of four public sails on the tall ship Denis Sullivan during annual Coast Week in Indiana have been filled, two days after the opportunity was announced.

There are limited spaces on each Saturday trip held for walk-up, day-of registration for the two-hour trips, which will sail on Sept. 14 and 15.  The Sullivan is open for Deck Tours from 9:00 - 12:00 PM CST on Saturday September 15; no registration is required to view the vessel during this time.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is providing this opportunity to view our backyard's coastal treasures from the wet side of the lake from the 137-foot, three-masted re-creation of a 19th century Great Lakes schooner. The ship will dock in Michigan City and provide opportunities for tours, as well as the open-water sails.

Those wanting to help the Interpretive Service of Indiana Dunes State Park are invited to a one-hour volunteer callout at the Nature Center, Aug. 31, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CDT).  Interpretive naturalist Brad Bumgardner will highlight various year-round volunteer opportunities during the meeting. 

Based at the Nature Center, the park's Interpretive Service coordinates educational activities, special events and natural-resource management projects. 

"We are engaged in many aspects of the property, so there is a lot of room for individual volunteers to apply different interests and skills throughout the year," Bumgardner said. 
Opportunities range from being a regular Nature Center host to getting involved with mapping, inventory and the eradication of invasive species. 

An additional opportunity exists for youth age 12 to 17, who can become part of the junior volunteer program. Junior volunteers perform many of the same tasks as the regular volunteers, but also have the chance to learn first-hand about the Indiana Dunes Interpretive Service, and the many jobs that the park naturalists perform.

For more information about this event or any other interpretive programs at the state park, contact the Nature Center, (219) 926-1390.

As summer draws to a close and school starts, the hours at the state's swimming pools and other swimming areas have changed.

All guarded pools are now closed, Monday through Friday, for the remainder of the year.  Indiana Dunes State Park Beach will be open through this week and will be open weekends only after Aug. 19.

All guarded pools and the guarded beach at Dunes will be open Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day weekend. All facilities will be open on Labor Day, with the exception of O'Bannon Woods State Park's pool, which will be closed on Labor Day.

All unguarded swimming beaches are open through Labor Day.