Meet Kyle Gebhart, bird enthusiast and West Lafayette Park Naturalist for the Celery Bog Nature Area and Lilly Nature Center. Kyle hails from Ohio and has had an exciting journey to his current position.

Check out this episode to learn about:

• the history of the Celery Bog
• how wetlands improve water quality
• fun programs Kyle leads in West Lafayette
• camp and park improvements
• places on his travel bucket list
• advice for people heading into the conservation field

--Resources--

• Celery Bog Virtual Field Trip (purdue.edu)

• Why are Wetlands Important? | US EPA

• Wetlands and Water Quality: WQ-10 (purdue.edu)

• Lilly Nature Center & Celery Bog Nature Area | West Lafayette, IN

• Register for Kyle’s programs or others offered by WL Parks & Rec under the yellow programs tab: Catalog - City of West Lafayette Parks & Recreation (rec1.com)

"It's one thing I like about volunteering...as much as you give, you're getting back from the community." In this episode, I talk with the AmeriCorps Conservation Crew from the West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department: Larry Lomax, Clara Lotz, Miles Romans, and Esme Gonzalez! Discover the inspiring work this dedicated team is doing to enhance our local parks, engage with the community, and promote environmental stewardship. From ongoing projects to personal development, the crew shares their goals, challenges, and success stories. Learn how you can get involved and support their efforts to make West Lafayette a greener, more sustainable place.

Links and Resources:

• West Lafayette Parks and Recreation AmeriCorps Program: ⁠https://www.westlafayette.in.gov/government/parks-recreation/community-forestry-and-greenspace/americorps⁠
• Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan: https://greaterlafayetteind.com/climate-action-plan/

• West Lafayette Forestry Management Plan: https://www.westlafayette.in.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/2130/638381402318900000
• AmeriCorps: https://americorps.gov/
• Volunteer Opportunities: https://tippecanoecountyswcd.org/tict-2#:~:text=Upcoming%20Invasive%20Species%20Events
• Foraging Books: https://www.foragersharvest.com/sams-books.html
• Music League: https://musicleague.com/

Connect with Us:

• Follow us on Instagram: @TippecanoeWater
• Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcpwq/
• Follow our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Tune in to hear firsthand from the AmeriCorps Conservation Crew and be inspired to take action in our community!

Join us for an engaging conversation with Amber Slaughterbeck, our Regional Specialist with the State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management (SICIM). Amber takes us on a journey into the world of invasive species, sharing her passion and expertise in managing these ecological invaders.

In this episode, we explore Amber's background, her inspiring career journey, and the critical role she plays in combating invasive species in Indiana. She breaks down what makes a species invasive and why we should all be concerned about them.

Amber shines a spotlight on problematic invasive species in the region, shedding light on their ecological and economic impacts. Discover what you can do to help prevent the spread of these invaders and contribute to their demise.

Amber shares exciting projects and initiatives she's involved in, providing insight into the challenges she faces and successes in the field. She also offers valuable resources for those eager to learn more about invasive species.

Tune in for an informative and motivating conversation with Amber, an inspiring champion in the fight against invasive species.

–Show Notes–

• State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management (SICIM)

• Landowner Toolkit — State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management

• Native Plant Books: Wildflower Books by Dan Childs

• Find Your Regional Specialist - State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management

• Runnin' & Wranglin' 5K Fun Run/Walk

Join us for a lively stormwater journey as we catch up with incredible professionals at the annual Indiana Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Management (INAFSM) conference. In these quick and candid interviews, we discover what drives these experts in the world of stormwater, why they keep returning to INAFSM, and what excites them in their current roles. Get ready for some short but sweet insights from:

• Karan Barnhill, Stormwater Coordinator/Inspector, City of Evansville

• Greg Couch, Stormwater Team Lead, MS4 Coordinator at Indiana Department of Transportation

• Tim Stottlemyer, Stormwater Infrastructure Consultant, AQUALIS

• Jacob Barker, Project Manager in Environmental Services Group, Wessler Engineering

• Austin Wiesler, Stormwater Technician, Lafayette Renew

• Michael Susong (aka Mr. Goldstar), Stormwater Division Manager, Town of Zionsville

• Doug Wolf, retired Soil Scientist & Stormwater Specialist, Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Tune in and enjoy these quick snippets of wisdom from the stormwater pros!

–Show Notes–

• INAFSM

• Karan Barnhill - Stormwater Coordinator/Inspector, City of Evansville

• Greg Couch - Stormwater Team Lead, MS4 Coordinator at Indiana Department of Transportation

• Tim Stottlemyer - Stormwater Infrastructure Consultant, AQUALIS

• Jacob Barker - Project Manager in Environmental Services Group, Wessler Engineering

• Austin Wiesler - Stormwater Technician, Lafayette Renew

• Michael Susong - Stormwater Division Manager, Town of Zionsville

• Doug Wolf - retired Soil Scientist & Stormwater Specialist, Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Jenna Parks Freeman, Interpretive Naturalist at Prophetstown State Park, shares about her daily adventures with park guests and critters, the history of the park, and the exceptional experiences people who visit can have. Prophetstown is located where the Tippecanoe River meets the Wabash River. The park’s landscape has been shaped by glaciers, water, fire, and humans that maintained the tallgrass prairie. Native American people lived along the two rivers for thousands of years. Listen for an inspiring journey through Jenna’s eyes and the captivating landscape of Prophetstown State Park.

–Show Notes–

• TICT -Tippecanoe Invasive Cooperative Taskforce

• Prophetstown State Park

• Home | Farm at Prophetstown

• Gene Stratton-Porter

• World Rivers Day

In this episode of the stormwater podcast, we sit down with five exceptional interns from Lafayette Renew's Stormwater Department! These hard-working and bright individuals bring enthusiasm and creative thinking to their work. Join us as they share their backgrounds, the reasons that brought them to this internship, and the specific projects they've been working on this summer.

Discover how their experiences have deepened their understanding of stormwater management and environmental conservation. They candidly discuss the challenges they've faced and how they overcame them, along with the valuable lessons and skills they've gained during their time at Renew.

Listen in as they discuss critical issues and challenges related to stormwater management and their visions for contributing to future solutions. Don't miss their valuable advice for other students and young professionals interested in pursuing internships or careers in stormwater management or environmental sciences.

This episode is packed with valuable insights and stories you won't want to miss. Tune in for a fun interview with Lafayette Renew's outstanding interns, who have made a significant impact in the world of stormwater management!

–Show Notes–

• Environmental and Ecological Engineering - Purdue University

• Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) - Purdue University
  

Get ready for an exciting episode of our podcast as we dive into the vibrant celebration of Wabash Riverfest! This event is all about honoring the mighty Wabash River and its importance to our Greater Lafayette community. We'll explore the fantastic initiatives by WREC to develop the riverfront and enhance the river's overall quality.

Join us at Riverfest to experience an array of organizations sharing valuable information and educating everyone on their efforts to improve our community. It's like one big party dedicated to the river! Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 8, from 9 am to 4 pm at Tapawingo Park in West Lafayette, right by the beautiful Wabash River.

In this episode, we have a special guest, Gene Hatke, the Voice of Riverfest. Gene has been a crucial part of Riverfest since its inception and serves as an invaluable committee member. In our interview, Gene shares fascinating insights into the event's origins, its evolution, historical significance, and his vision for Riverfest's future. You won't want to miss this delightful conversation with Gene, a true treasure in our community.

–Show Notes–

Wabash Riverfest - www.wabashriverfest.com

• Volunteer

• Schedule

• Waterdrop 5K Run

• NICHES Float Trip

• River Drawing Class

Songwriters Association of Mid-North Indiana (SAMI)

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Halee Griffey is the Climate Resiliency & Sustainability Officer for the City of West Lafayette. In this episode, she discusses the Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan, the upcoming Green Expo, and actionable steps towards climate resilience. Halee's passion for sustainability and service is inspiring!

–Show Notes–

Halee Griffey - hgriffey@westlafayette.in.gov

• Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan - https://greaterlafayetteind.com/climate-action-plan/
• Green Expo - Sunday, June 25 from 12 - 4 pm at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds
• Solar United Neighbors - https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/
• Solar Co-op Kick-off Event - May 17 at 2:30 pm - Watch for the Livestream!
• Eleventh House - https://www.lafayettelikesthisplace.com/
• Von’s - https://www.vonsshops.com/
• Millie’s Thrift Store - 101 Plaza Ln, Lafayette, IN 47909
• Phone Case Recycling Program - https://www.casetify.com/sustainability
• Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandamestes/