Natural resources offer more than meets the eye

Students search for benthic macroinvertebrates and fish living in the stream to determine that Big Walnut Creek has healthy water quality indicator species with direction from Billy Pigg of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

Courtesy photo

A fuzzy bunny, a majestic tree, a stream full of fish or a soaring eagle might come to mind for many, if asked what the first thought is when thinking of Putnam County natural resources. While we are blessed to see many of these when driving the Putnam County landscape, there is so much more to know and understand.

Annually, Purdue Extension Putnam County, along with the Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District, organizes a natural resource field day for seventh-graders hosted at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Thankfully neighbors also cooperate to allow students access to Big Walnut Creek and nearby riparian areas.

All four county schools participated in the day-long event to experience a total of 16 stations, each with a different natural resource subject expert who provided just under 15 minutes of hands-on, visual or other presentation activities. Approximately 400 students had exposure to topics that included fire science, trail snack and stretch, soil and water health, forestry, invasive species, bees, bats, amphibians, geology, drones, wildlife and conservation law enforcement, watersheds, water safety, habitats and whooping cranes.

Mark Evans

While there are many examples of gaining understanding about tools and diagnostic uses of natural resource knowledge, one of my favorites is the difference between a left- and right-handed snail. No, this is not a joke, but factual science.

To determine the type of snail, hold an aquatic snail positioned upside down with the tail between the thumb and index finger with the orifice closest to one’s body. If the orifice is positioned to the left, it is a left-handed snail, while if the orifice is to the right, it would be right-handed snail.

So, what one can use this useless knowledge as trivia at the dinner table? As a matter of fact, this is very useful in biological stream assessments. Right-handed snails are very intolerant of pollution, while left-handed snails are tolerant of pollution and contaminants. If a stream has mostly left-handed snails and no right-handed snails, one would be suspicious of the stream health. The biological assessment is very useful because species live in the stream year-round and provide good indicators for stream health.

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Purdue Extension Office at 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs.

Upcoming Events

Nov. 5 – Putnam 4-H member awards/volunteer recognition program, 2 p.m., Putnam County Fairgrounds

Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29 – Dining with Diabetes, 12 p.m., virtual, register at 653-8411

Nov. 10 – Office closed for Veterans Day holiday

Nov. 16 – Staying Healthy as You Age, 6 p.m., Putnam County Fairgrounds, York Automotive Building