SHLT to host Nature in the Arts program
Shirley Heinze Land Trust (SHLT) in partnership with the Art Barn School of Art and Chesterton Art Center will host their Nature in the Arts program, ‘Weaving Through Waterways,’ from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve, 109 W. 700 North, Valparaiso. Visitors can join in turtle-weaving and bracelet-making, as well as learn how to use cardboard and hoop looms using a variety of yarns, threads and fibers. Guided walks led by Shirley Heinze staff and volunteers will take place at 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m. Additionally, the Duneland Plein Air Painters will be painting throughout the preserve, demonstrating their creative process. Food will be available for purchase from Mixtura Food Truck. This event is free and open to all ages. Parking, accessible restrooms and water will be available. For more information, contact Programs Coordinator Mari Patis at 219-242-8558 or mpatis@heinzetrust.org.
Art Walk offered at National Park
Take a scenic stroll through art, history and nature at the very first “Art Walk” event at Indiana Dunes National Park from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. This family-friendly afternoon is sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes, Inc. and begins at the Volunteer Program Office, 891 N. Mineral Springs Road, across the street from Chellberg Farm. Enjoy artwork displayed from the park’s Artist-In-Residence program while exploring the wooded ravines, open fields and historic buildings along the Bailly/Chellberg Trail. Attendees can create their own artwork at different stations along the way with help from local collaborators including Art Barn of Valparaiso, Chesterton Art Center, and South Shore Arts of Munster. Indiana Dunes National Park’s annual Artist-In-Residence program offers professional artists the opportunity to live in the park for two weeks to connect deeply with both nature and their craft. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Park, call 219-395-1882 or visit www.nps.gov/indu or https://www.facebook.com/IndianaDunesNPS/. To learn more of the Friends of Indiana Dunes and the support they provide to the parks, go to dunefriends.org.
Porter County open board positions
The Joint Porter County Council/Commissioners needs to fill the following board position by Sept. 1: PC Regional Development Authority (RDA) Board Position (Joint Appointment). Individuals interested in being considered for a board position may visit the Porter County Council office, 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 207, Valparaiso, to obtain an application. Applications are also available at the Porter County website, www.porterco.org under the County Council tab. A member appointed to the development board must have knowledge and five years professional work experience in at least one of the following: rail transportation or air transportation; regional economic development; and/or business or finance. Certain requirements, such as residency and/or certain political party affiliation must be met in order to qualify for a particular appointment. Applications must be received no later than Aug. 20. The final decision will be made at a public meeting Aug. 27.
Community leaders to meet on reducing plastic waste
In a continued effort to foster environmental sustainability and promote plastic reduction practices within the community, local leaders, educators and environmental advocates will gather to discuss strategies for reducing plastic waste. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 at Valparaiso University’s Harre Union, Ballroom C, 1700 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso.
The meeting, hosted by the Plastic Reduction Alliance of Northwest Indiana, will continue to address the growing concern of plastic pollution and its impact on the environment and public health, with a focus on schools and educational institutions. The meeting will feature a presentation from researchers in the field, discussions on successful plastic reduction programs in local schools, and time dedicated to ongoing brainstorming for innovative solutions. Community members, parents, and students are encouraged to attend and contribute their ideas to this important dialogue. For more information about the meeting or to RSVP, contact Julie Peller at julie.peller@valpo.edu.
Shirley Heinze Land Trust adds 73-acre addition
Shirley Heinze Land Trust (SHLT) has announced a 73-acre addition to Meadowbrook Nature Preserve and Conservation Center, located north of Valparaiso. The property contains SHLT’s organizational headquarters and serves as a regional conservation destination with over 300 protected acres, more than four miles of trails for passive recreation and facilities that support educational programming. The 73-acre addition has been a part of a family farm for over 100 years and contains working agricultural land, emergent marsh wetlands and upland forest. A match campaign to design and install a community amphitheater at Meadowbrook is underway through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program. All donations will be matched $1:$1 up to $50K. Contributions can be made by visiting patronicity.com/amphitheater. For more information on the work and nature preserves of Shirley Heinze Land Trust, visit www.heinzetrust.org or call 219-242-8558.
