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2020 Wildflower Weekend at Eagle Creek Park

Join us for naturalist led hikes and public programs at Eagle Creek Park's second annual Wildflower Weekend! While attending hikes you can make your own observations or contribute to citizen science by helping us document spring wildflower diversity in the park. Most programs are free with park admission and do not require registration unless otherwise noted. Park admission is $5 for in county residents and $6 for out of county residents. Park entry fee is waived for paid programs. Please call the Earth Discovery Center (317-327-7148) with questions. All programs require minors to be accompanied by adults.

2020 Wildflower Weekend at Eagle Creek Park- Schedule of Events
Come prepared with appropriate shoes and clothing to hit the trails, lunches and snacks, and a water bottle to make the most of the weekend’s offerings.

Saturday, April 18
1. 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Wildflower ID hike- Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve
One of the most ecologically rich habitats in Marion County, Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve offers rolling hills, steep ravines, and panoramic views of the reservoir. Join Assistant Director of DNR Division of Nature Preserves, Tom Swinford, on this 1.75-mile rugged hike through a vast display of Virginia bluebells and other spring beauties. Distance: 1.75 mile, Difficulty: Rugged

2. 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Story Time on the Reservoir
Our most popular pre-K program provides the opportunity for families to learn and grow with hands-on activities for all learning styles. This week’s Story Time book, Wake Up, Woods, and activity stations will celebrate wildflowers in honor of our weekend-long event.

3. 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Introduction to Wildflowers Hike- Cabin Trail
Garfield Park manager, Fritz Nerding, will lead this hike geared for beginning wildflower enthusiasts, although all are welcome. The Cabin Trail is a moderate 1-mile loop, with stairs, hills, and potential areas of mud along the trail. Along the way we’ll see most of our common woodland spring wildflowers like spring beauty, prairie trillium, false rue anemone, and cutleaf toothwort, and hopefully some of our less common ones like drooping trillium. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Moderate

4. 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Eagle Creek Park History in Flowers Hike
As a former naturalist and a current volunteer, Anne Cecere has developed a passion for Eagle Creek Park history. On a guided hike learn what various plants can teach us about the history of Eagle Creek Park. In this family-friendly program you’ll use clues in the flora to find homesites, while hearing stories from the past. We will also identify wildflowers that we encounter along the way. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy

5. 12:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. Wildflower ID hike- Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary
Tucked in on the north end of the reservoir along Fishback Creek, Starling Sanctuary features a mosaic of habitats: forest, wetland, and prairie. Eagle Creek Park Manager, Brittany Davis-Swinford, will guide us on an easy stroll to the Fishback Creek overlook, (1.0 mi) then through the wetland and prairie trail (.5 mi). The wetland trail might be a little muddy, bring waterproof footwear if possible. Distance: 1.5mi, Difficulty: Easy

6. 12:30 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. Native Pollinators Hike
Eagle Creek Park volunteer, Naomi D’Andrea, will lead a hike in search of spring ephemeral wildflowers and the native pollinators on which they rely. This family-friendly pollinator talk and hike will discuss the special relationships insects and wildflowers have developed over time and shed light on the importance of pollinator conservation. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy

7. 1:30-3:00 p.m. Garlic mustard pull
Team up with Eagle Creek Park staff and volunteers to learn about the effects of invasive plant species. We will take a short hike to a location near the EDC to remove garlic mustard, an exotic invasive plant which negatively impacts native wildflowers. Please wear long sleeves, pants, work gloves, sturdy shoes, and bring water. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Easy

8. 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Wildflower ID hike- OC mesic woods
Assistant Director of DNR Division of Nature Preserves, Tom Swinford, will lead a 1-mile hike through this diverse section of the park. The exposed bluffs are home to shooting stars, fire pink, and other ephemerals that like living on the edge! We will also explore the Beech-Maple Loop that stays moist and shaded, providing a great home for ostrich fern, spring beauties, and wood poppies. Distance: 1 mile, Difficulty: Moderate

9. 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Intro to Indigo Dye
Activity Fee: $10.00/person, Registration Required
Registration and additional program details at: Indigo Dye Registration
Using indigo dye, one of the oldest plant dyes in the world, participants will create their own patterns on a take-home textile. Participants will learn about the process behind indigo dye and be guided through the practice of “shibori”, a Japanese artform for fabric art.

10. 3:00-4:00 p.m. Wildlife-Friendly Habitat Workshop
The Certified Wildlife Habitat Workshop is a unique educational opportunity for individuals and families who are interested in protecting the natural beauty and local wildlife of Indiana. Program participants will learn about native plants and animals, explore the links between their communities and larger ecosystems, and discover how to create a wildlife-friendly habitat. The Indiana Wildlife Federation, the state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, developed this course to connect property owners and managers to nature in a fun and educational way.

11. 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Dinner with wild edibles keynote speaker
$12 per ticket, limited to 30 spots
Registration at wildflowerdinner.eventbrite.com
Celebrate our second annual Wildflower Weekend along with Eagle Creek Park staff and event program and hike leaders at this catered, Mediterranean-themed dinner. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available to guests. Relax with friends, enjoy a delicious meal, and learn what wildflowers our leaders have recorded throughout the day. Registration is limited to the first 30 guests.

5:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Wild Edibles
The Indiana landscape provides a bounty of edible plants. Learn how to identify edible plants and toxic look-a-likes to aid in survival situations, expand your taste palate, and gain a better appreciation for native plants with Indy Parks naturalist, Jessica Helmbold.

Sunday, April 19
12. 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Birds and Blooms Hike
Join Will Schaust, Ornithology Center manager, to learn the birds of Eagle Creek and the unique relationships they have with spring wildflowers. Explore the trails around the Ornithology Center on this relaxed guided hike. Binoculars are provided for use, making this hike perfect for the whole family. Distance: 1.5 mile, Difficulty: Easy

13. 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Wildflower ID Hike- Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve
If you missed this hike on Saturday, or just really love this special place, join us for another hike through Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve. Join DNR Division of Nature Preserves staff on this 1.75-mile rugged trail. This is an exceptional site for many spring ephemerals. Distance: 1.75 mile, Difficulty: Rugged

14. 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. Fungus ID Hike
Wildflowers are not the only thing popping up around the park in spring. Join Hoosier Mushroom Society hike leaders on a guided fungus foray. Discussion of major fungus groups, characteristics to look for in identification, and human uses will be talking points on this family-friendly identification hike. Distance: 1.5 mile, Difficulty: Moderate