Citizen Scientist Training and Research Outing at Indiana’s Monroe Lake, Nov. 17

People interested in volunteering with the new Citizen Scientist program at Monroe Lake are invited to a training session on monitoring eagles, Saturday, Nov. 17.

Volunteers in the Citizen Science program collect data that help Monroe Lake track animal populations, monitor habitats, and make resource management decisions. No prior experience is needed.

The Nov. 17 training session is the first step in a project that will use volunteers to help monitor the lake’s winter eagle population.

This training will begin at 2 p.m. with a presentation on eagle identification at the Activity Center in Paynetown State Recreation Area, 4850 S. S.R. 446, Bloomington. Volunteers will then caravan to spots around the lake to look for eagles and learn how to record and report observation data. The training will end around 5 p.m.

Volunteers must register for the training session by 4 p.m. on Nov. 16 by calling the Paynetown Activity Center at (812) 837-9967 or by emailing naturalist Jill Vance at jvance@dnr.IN.gov.

Volunteers will be asked to monitor a specific location at Monroe Lake for eagles on a weekly or twice-monthly basis through January.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the U.S. state of Indiana charged with maintaining natural areas such as state parks, state forests, recreation areas, etc. There are many divisions within the DNR and each has a specific role. The DNR is not only responsible for maintaining resource areas but also manages Indiana's fish and wildlife, reclaims coal mine ground, manages forested areas, aids in the management of wildlife on private lands, enforces Indiana's conservation laws, and many other duties not named here. According to the department's website, their mission is "to protect, enhance, preserve, and wisely use natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of Indiana's citizens through professional leadership, management, and education."