Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, January 27, 2016
(GOOSE POND FWA) - 2016 marks the seventh year of Marsh Madness, a weekend festival hosted by The Friends of Goose Pond on March 4 and 5.
This community-based event, timed to coincide with the peak Sandhill Crane and waterfowl migration at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, is held to increase awareness of the area's rich natural resources as well as provide education about waterfowl and other species attracted to and protected by Goose Pond.
Hosted since 2010 by the Friends of Goose Pond in partnership with Goose Pond FWA, the event has been a s success every year.
This year's event begins March 4 with a kickoff banquet at the Linton Elks Club. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the event features dinner, a live auction of wildlife and nature related items, pre-dinner entertainment provided by popular local duo Brent McPike (guitar) and Solly Burton (mandolin), and a brief presentation by Barbara Simpson, former director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation.
Tickets for this event are available at http://www.friendsofgoosepond.org.
On Saturday, March 5, events will be held at both the Linton City Park and Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. At the park, check in at the Roy Clark Building for admission and orientation to the various events held there. Beginning at 8 a.m., some of the events scheduled at the park include:
* The Hardy Lake Raptor rehabilitation program will feature live birds of prey on display 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with educational programs at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Roy Clark Building. Visitors will learn about birds of prey and their behavior.
* The Wabash Valley Herpetological Society will present live snakes, lizards and amphibians from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roy Clark Building, an event hugely popular with kids of all ages.
* Craft vendors will be present with such nature-related items as bird houses, bird feeders, nature photography and paintings from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. at the Roy Clark Building.
* A birdhouse building project will be open at the West Cabin from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for kids aged 12 and under accompanied by an adult. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to attend.
* Food vendors will be on hand, so plan on having lunch there while enjoying the many activities.
* An owl pellet dissection activity will be held at the Girl Scout Cabin from 11 to 11:45 a.m., providing visitors a chance to discover for themselves what the nocturnal raptors feast upon.
* The Indiana DNR will present the Southern Wings Program at the Girl Scout Cabin from 12 noon to 12:45 p.m., a project aimed at helping to maintain populations of Indiana birds which migrate to Central and South America.
* At the East Cabin from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. an award winning documentary by Bill Barnes titled "Goose Pond: The Story of A Wetland and Its Neighbors" will be shown.
* An outdoor photography workshop is scheduled at the Girl Scout Cabin from 1 to 1:45 p.m.
Make reservations early as the number of participants is limited. Register by emailing Friends of Goose Pond at mail@friendsofgoosepond.org.
At the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, visitors can expect to see thousands of sandhill cranes as well as snow geese, greater white-fronted geese, bald eagles and a multitude of duck species. The area will offer guided bus tours of its 8000 plus acres. For those who wish to see the area on their own, self-guided auto tours are another viewing option.
A final venue, the Carnegie Heritage & Arts Center will be open, featuring works by artist Judy Crosley and others.
For further information, maps and a full schedule of events please visit www.friendsofgoosepond.org as well as their Facebook page.
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