For our June program, join us as we welcome our guest speaker Dr. Giorgia Auteri.
Dr. Auteri has a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Michigan. Her work has included high-impact studies on bats, genetic adaptation, and conservation. Please come join us as we learn about bats in Indiana.
Evolution and Conservation of Bats Wednesday, June 3, 5:30 - 7:30 PM Bartholomew County Public Library Red Room
We look forward to seeing you there in person or via Zoom! The event is free and open to the public.
Celebrating National Pollinator Week!!
This month we have 2 pollinator success stories, a monthly program about mammalian pollinators, a great pollinator organization, and announce a new Indiana POLLINATOR license plate!
8th Annual Native Plant Sale
The 2026 Native Plant Sale was a huge success. Thank you to all of the volunteers that helped out!
Plant pick-up on May 8 was well-staffed, making pick-up for our customers smooth and enjoyable.
Remaining plants were sold at the Columbus Farmer’s Market on May 9th and 16th. We were delighted at the community outreach accomplished both at the pick-up day and at the Market.
So many customers came with questions about native plantings in urban areas. It is very satisfying to know that every year the plants from our sale go out into the world to support pollinators, from ants to butterflies to hummingbirds, helping to bring balance to the ecosystem while beautifying urban yards.
Eastside Library Planting Project
The Winding Waters Group and Bartholomew County Public Library Native Plant Partnership Project project helps us meet our larger organizational goals of connecting people with nature and wildlife, and closing the nature equity gap. Together with the Eastside Library Branch at 421 McClure Road (the former Eastside Community Center), Winding Waters volunteers helped connect library patrons with nature by planting native plants around the library.
In May, volunteers planted redbuds and oakleaf hydrangeas around the library lawn. Thank you to all who participated! Please come check it out!
This month’s org spotlight falls on Homegrown National Park. If you haven’t heard of it, please check it out! Understanding that everyday folks want to help the environment but often don’t know where to start, HNP began with the goal of giving people a way to support biodiversity in their own back yards and city parks by removing invasive plant species and planting or encouraging native plants to grow in their place.
Tens of thousands of Americans have joined in the movement, converting well over 100,000 acres of formerly curated lawn into native gardens and rewilded areas. If you would like to learn more or join the movement, please check them out!
Volunteer Spotlight: Aase Wilking
Aase Wilking enjoys being outdoors hiking and working to remove invasive plant species. She became a member of the Winding Waters Group after participating in Sierra Club hikes because she enjoyed being with like-minded people in nature.
Aase is also an active member of the Blazing Stars CISMA Strike Team, and attends as many Weed Wrangles events as she can to teach new volunteers the joys of invasive species management.
Personally, she finds great satisfaction in both the visible impact her invasive species removal work makes on Noblitt Park in Columbus, as well as the personal impact of connecting with volunteers interested in helping the environment. On top of that, Aase is an active member of Friends of Brown County State Park, where she works with other volunteers to help maintain and beautify the park.
Photo: Julie Lowe
Aase invites you to join the Winding Waters hikes and programs to learn more about the nature around you and to connect with people that share your interest in protecting and enjoying the environment!
Did you know? Select Indiana license plates support the environment!
Indiana has a plethora of specialty license plates. Hoosiers can support environmental causes by selecting a specialty plate of your choice with an annual donation of $25 or more depending on the organization. New for 2026 is the pollinator plate, with proceeds benefitting Pollinator Partnership. Here are some organizations you might be interested in supporting!
Events
Wednesday, June 3, 5:30 - 7:30 PM Evolution and Conservation of Bats Bartholomew County Public Library Red Room Columbus, IN
