PIERCETON – From pint-sized jellyfish to rattlesnakes and flying squirrels, ACRES Land Trust Executive Director Jason Kissel is always surprised at the wildlife that can be found in Indiana. But they won’t necessarily pop out at you – you have to look for them, he told the gathering at the annual Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District meeting Tuesday. Kissel shared a selection of plants and animals you wouldn’t expect to find in the state. It’s something he enjoys sharing with people as part of ACRES’ mission of natural preservation and education. “I love it when an 8-year-old sees something new, and I love it when an 88-year-old sees something new,” he said. “When we take people out, there’s always something new to discover.” There’s foxfire fungus, which glows green through the same process as fireflies; carnivorous plants such as the sundew and pitcher plant; and some of the tiniest shrimps and largest moths in North America. Many of the creatures are hard to spot – nickel-sized freshwater lake jellyfish live for just a few days in late summer, while flying squirrels are as small as mice and are only active nocturnally. “You miss nighttime creatures when you go indoors and turn on the lights. It’s too bad,” he remarked. Indiana also boasts more native species of orchid than Hawaii – 43. “It just takes a little observation skill. That’s why I like to take people through the forest,” Kissel said. Also during the meeting, Stan Moore was chosen by district member vote for a three-year term on the five-member board. Moore is on the Tippecanoe Audubon board, represents Kosciusko County on the Arrow Head Country Resource Conservation and Development Council, and is a past Sidney firefighter and president of the Manchester Fellowship of Churches Inc. The district presented several awards as well. A.J. Brown and Sons Farms was recognized as the Conservation Farmer of the Year, for its history of conservation improvements such as the construction last year of a large grassed waterway, underground outlet and grade stabilization structure. Huburt and Beth Krull were given the Master Conservation Farmer Award for their own conservation efforts, including miles of grassed waterways with concrete grade stabilization structures or stone chute outlets. Other awards given were: • Environmental Education: Monica Grubbs, Jackie Horn, Carole Koos, Linda Tannas and Paul Sibray. • Environmental Enhancement: Bill and Becky Thomas. • Distinguished Service: Sherm Bryant and Sam St. Clair. • Soil Judging Team: Anne Beer, Jake Templin, Kevin Schlipf and Ryan Schlipf of Wawase High School, with coach Randy Warren. • River Friendly Farmer: Darrel Byer and Randy Beer.
